Speech Trek News By Ann Arneill
Speech Trek, AAUW’s public speaking contest, is in its 18th year. Speech Trek is getting into full swing with our busy fall season. Eight high school campuses in the Elk Grove Unified School District are participating in our contest. Students deliver 5- to 6-minute speeches extemporaneously for cash prizes ranging from $200 to $500. The local winner can go on to the statewide competition to compete for a prize of $2,500.
The topic this year is very timely: “Climate change is happening. The effects are widespread and touch upon almost all aspects of our life on this planet. Select an area of impact and explore the effects climate change is having on women in the USA, and around the world.”
Now is the time we recruit students to participate by distributing our promotional materials and having students sign up for workshops scheduled for November, which Liz Jordan and Ann Arneill will conduct. At these workshops, we inform students about the contest rules, present the topic, give them resources for researching the topic and provide public speaking tips. Once the students who decide to participate complete their speech drafts, we will give them feedback on their speeches. The contest will be held on Feb. 15, 2025 at Cosumnes River College, so put that on your calendars!
Don’t forget about the Speech Trek Challenge that will be held via Zoom on Jan. 11, 2025. Members will have a chance to discuss the topic in advance of the contest to pique their interest.