14th Annual Speech Trek Contest Celebrates Its Winner By Ann Arneill
On Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, the Speech Trek Committee held its first-ever virtual contest via Zoom with great success. A full audience listened to 12 students from six Elk Grove Unified School District high schools speak on the topic: “Has social media helped or hindered the breaking down of barriers for women and girls?”
First-place winner was Saher Haidari, a junior at Pleasant Grove High School, receiving $500.
Saher Haidari
Second-place winner, Katelyn Evans, a junior from Franklin High School, received $300. Third-place winner was Annmarie Fan, a junior from Franklin High School, who received $100. Also from Pleasant Grove High School, Maren DeMille, received honorable mention and was awarded $75.
The Sacramento Branch’s winning speaker is entered in the AAUW CA Speech Trek Semi-Finals. If Saher Haidari makes it into the top three, she will be invited to compete in the Finals for $1,500. Saher will also be presenting her speech at the May branch meeting—something to look forward to because she is a very dynamic speaker.
Dr. Virginia Kidd, communications professor emeritus at CSUS, along with Mark Hoffman and Gary Pettigrew, both Toastmaster Club members, judged the event. Speech Trek Committee member Kathleen Deaver served as timekeeper for the contest. Thanks to Joe Kelett for technical assistance and branch member Karen Burley for her help.