Lions' Young Ambassador 2017 Elloise Jennings (Kaitaia College).
Lions' Young Ambassador 2017 Elloise Jennings (Kaitaia College).
They might not quite be household names yet, but Okaihau Lions Club president Hazel Macmillan confidently expects that the six finalists for this year's Lions' Young Ambassador's Award soon will be.
Natasha Williams (Northland College).
"In five years I want to see their names in the newspapers as very worthwhile citizens, and I am sure they will be," Mrs Macmillan said before they delivered their speeches in the Okaihau Hall on Wednesday night.
Reuben Allen (Kaitaia College).
The title, and $1000, went to Kaitaia College head girl Elloise Jennings, from Natasha Williams (Northland College) and Phoebe Huett (Springbank). The other finalists were Aimee Walden (Okaihau College), Reuben Allen (Kaitaia College) and Shannen Frear (Kerikeri High School).
The five-minute prepared speeches, delivered before an audience of almost 100 Lions from around the North and guests, were just the final hurdle, however. Thirty per cent of their final scores had already been awarded on their CVs (focusing on academic, community and other achievements), with 40 per cent from interviews with the judges, leaving 30 per cent for the speeches.
In five years I want to see their names in the newspapers as very worthwhile citizens, and I am sure they will be.
All six spoke confidently and well, Aimee Walden questioning the relevance of a tertiary degree to success, Natasha Williams arguing for the individual assessment of intelligence and the teaching of real world skills, Phoebe Huett comparing the fulfilment of being part of a team with the lot of foster children, so often forgotten, abandoned and abused, Reuben Allen extolling the personal satisfaction to be gained from service to others, and Shannen Frear urging her audience to seek out their passion and to love what they do. Elloise Jennings delved into the power of language and the extraordinary process that makes it possible.
Aimee Walden (Okaihau College).
Ross Paterson, representing major sponsor Bay of Islands Realty, who judged the contenders (alongside Elodie Vujcich and Stuart Ward), described the annual competition as an outstanding initiative, and promised continued support for it next year.
Gill Tubbs (left), Vicky Worrall and Jenny Henderson, all from Kerikeri, enjoyed the meal and the speeches, but contrived to win not a single raffle.
He also praised the contestants for their courage, skills, confidence and eloquence, telling them that in speaking before an audience they had already placed themselves within a very small elite.
