For the past several years, the Chatham Lions Club has been hosting a public speaking contest for elementary and secondary students in District A1 (southwestern Ontario).

The contest will be held again in 2016 in Chatham at the Active Lifestyle Centre (20 Merritt Ave.) on March 6.

Lions believe that effective public speaking is an important skill for youth to develop in preparation for their career and social life. Promoting and enabling leadership development for youth is an important goal of the Lions organization. Each year, Lions of District A1 (southwestern Ontario) offer an opportunity for youth to develop their public speaking skills.

Schools in Chatham offering a public speaking program are invited to contact the Chatham Lions Club for details about the contest. If a public speaking program is not offered by their school, interested youth are invited to contact the Chatham Lions Club in person. Students who are interested in participating are asked to contact the Lions Club by Feb. 1.

The Effective Speaking contest is open to elementary (Grades 6-8) and secondary students in public, separate and private schools. There are six categories for the contest, three each in English and French. The categories are Junior (Grades 6, 7, 8), Intermediate (Grades 9, 10) and Senior (Grades 11, 12).

Each Lions Club is encouraged to sponsor two contestants in each category for the District contest. The top two in each category will enter the District Finals in Chatham on March 6, 2016. The top winner of the District in each category will advance to the Multiple District A Finals (MDA) (Ontario and Quebec). Prizes of $1000 for the Senior and Intermediate categories and $500 for the Junior category will be awarded to the winners at the MDA final.

For information about the contest and how to enter, contact the Chatham Lions Club secretary at lionseppo@cogeco.ca or519-352-8732.