Speech Trek Contest

Celebrates Its Winners

By Ann Arneill

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, the Speech Trek Committee held its Speech Trek Contest at Cosumnes River College with great success. An audience listened to three high school students from two Elk Grove Unified School District high schools speak on the topic: “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.”

First-place winner was Suyan Glozar, from Cosumnes Oaks High School, receiving $500. Second-place winner, Nikky Lin from Cosumnes High School, received $300. The third-place winner was Sierra Peters from Monterey High School, who received $100.

The Sacramento Branch’s winning speaker is entered in the AAUW CA Speech Trek semi-finals. If Suyan Glozar makes it into the top three, she will be invited to compete in the finals for $2,500. She will also present her speech at the May branch meeting.

Virginia Kidd, Ph.D., communications professor emeritus at CSUS, and our very own members Kathy Pabst and Carole Cline judged the contest. Thanks to branch member Karen Burley for technical assistance. We also appreciate the contribution of the hospitality committee.

This is the last year for the Speech Trek Contest because the AAUW California is discontinuing the contest. The Speech Trek committee would like to thank all the AAUW members who have supported the contest for all these years.