Suzie K. Oh, Principal, Third Street School, Los Angeles Unified School District

Each spring I am invited to serve as a judge for the annual Student Speakers Contests sponsored by the Lions Club. Regardless of my time constraints, I have a special affinity for public speaking events, having participated in such contests as a teenage student. Thus, I make myself available as it affords me the opportunity to reminisce fond memories of bygone years. .

In recent years, I have participated as a judge of high school speech contests from other community agencies such as the Chamber of Commerce, Auto Club of Southern California, and the Fair Housing Opportunities Center among other organizations. . Sometimes, high schools in which my own students will perhaps attend also invite me for the Lincoln/Douglas Debate or Forensic Club activities.

The spring 2001 Lion? Club topic is ?olitics-Issues or Money." The concept provides an opportunity for competitive public speaking among students on a subject of vital interest to the contestants and to the American people as a whole, to stimulate self-expression and independent thinking. These are indeed timely and relevant issues. Students presented outstanding speeches on these significant and current issues, especially given the fact that our controversial presidential election was just recently decided. Because of the closeness of the election it seems apparent that a non-partisan approach toward determining contemporary issues is unquestionably necessary in the political arena.

Overall, I enjoyed the students perspectives; the various speakers touched on a number of interesting viewpoints. There were a number of factors included in the overall judging process, including text, delivery, and effectiveness of their effort. In regard to the text, judges focused on the originality, quality of the material presented, and relevance to the topic title. In the delivery, judges were asked to consider such criteria as voice control, pronunciation, enthusiasm and poise. Each speaker? effectiveness was determined by the logic and organization and whether the speech was, in fact, well-rounded and cohesive.

All in all, it was again a wonderful experience; the young speakers are to be congratulated for the courage to participate in the competition and the Lions Club, and other community organizations are to be commended for sponsoring such events.

I am already looking forward to next year? speech contests!
(Suzie K. Oh can be reached by email at sko1212@aol.com or by fax at (323)256-1765.)