15th Annual Speech Trek Contest Celebrates Its Winner By Ann Arneill
On Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, the Speech Trek Committee held its Speech Trek contest via Zoom with great success. A full audience listened to five high school students from three Elk Grove Unified School District high schools speak on the topic: “Has the US lived up to its pledge of liberty and justice for all? Would requiring the study of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a high school setting help ensure liberty and justice for all?”
First-place winner was Maren DeMille, a sophomore at Pleasant Grove High School, receiving $500. Second-place winner, Yasmin Haidari, a senior from Laguna Creek High School, received $300. The third-place winner was Marielle Geresola, a junior from Sheldon High School, who received $100.
The Sacramento Branch’s winning speaker is entered in the AAUW CA Speech Trek semi-finals. If Maren DeMille makes it into the top three, she will be invited to compete in the finals for $1,500. She will also be presenting her speech at the May branch meeting — something to look forward to because she is a very dynamic speaker.
Virginia Kidd, Ph.D., communications professor emeritus at CSUS; Mark Hoffman, a Toastmaster club member; and our very own Liz Jordan judged the event. AAUW member Kathleen Deaver served as timekeeper for the contest. Thanks to branch members Kim Rutledge and Karen Burley for technical assistance.