Four Sierra High School students collected a total of $375 at Thursday’s Rotary Club Speech Contest held at Isadore’s Restaurant over the noon hour.

Speaking on the International Rotary president’s theme for the year, “The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands,” the students were judged on a variety of elements including originality, delivery and the inclusion of Rotary in their presentations.

First place went to senior Makaella Ferguson.  Sophomore Alison Armstrong and senior Lauren Morowit tied for second place and Joseph Rasmussen received an honorable mention award.  The first place winner received a check for $125 with the second place winners each going home with $100 each.  Honorable mention received a check for $50.

Ferguson is scheduled to compete in an area contest at the Tracy Rotary Club on February 24.  If she wins that contest she will then go on to the district speak off on March 13.

Rotary’s high school speech contest is a special program that engages Rotarians, educators and students in a meaningful and rewarding opportunity for the personal development of many of America’s future leaders.

It was originally known as the 4-Way Test Speech Contest evolving over the years to focus on the theme of the current international Rotary president.   The contest requires students to research and learn about Rotary in preparing for their short speech.  In doing so students, as well as their audiences,  receive an invaluable review of the great service Rotary provides to the world.

The 4-Way Test Speech Contest gave students the breadth of what the service club is all about in their presentations.  “Is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build good will and better friendships and will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

With the students at the speech contest was Sierra High teacher Daniel Dolieslager.