Fayetteville Public Schools Civic Oration Competition Winners

Most adults might have a seemingly hard time getting up before a crowd to give a prepared speech, but not so for hundreds of Cumberland County students.

The Modern Woodmen of America Civic Oration Competition level three finals were held Friday morning, April 27, at the Education Resource Center in Fayetteville.

This year's theme was "A Time When Volunteers Made a Difference". Students either chose or were assigned a volunteer organization or people who have made a difference to research and base their speech upon.

The overall winner, Samantha Sullivan, an eighth grader from spoke from the podium about the volunteer boat crews who helped transport thousands of people to safety from New York City docks on that dreadful day everyone can remember, September 11, 2001.

Her animated speech included excerpts from volunteers on that day and why they stepped up to help other strangers in a time of crisis, as told by them in her deepened voice. Samantha even imitated the crackling of the c.b. radio the boat operators used while on their missions when she spoke, which brought smiles from the audience.

The judges panel included Scott Grumelot, Science Curriculum Specialist for Cumberland County Schools, Dr. Saundra Shorter, Professor, Fayetteville State University and Tammy Jones, Employment Specialist for Cumberland County Schools.

The top two competitors from eight area schools included:

Connor Sykes,

Savannah Twine, Manchester Elementary School

Paisley Loucks,

Ryan Mendoza,

Jasmine Rainey, Gallberry Farm Elementary School

Hahn Lheem, Stoney Point Elementary School

Sydney Gibson,

Brian Thompson, , 2nd Place Winner

Lauren Adams, District 7 Elementary School

Raven Kirk,

Dev Sashidhar,

Madelaine Twedell, Vanstory Hills Elementary School

Jacob Austin, , 3rd Place Winner

Grace Thompson,

Jeremiah Rhodes,

Samantha Sullivan, , 1st Place Winner

The start of the competition began in March at each school as the students gave their speeches before their classmates and judges. The top two selected individuals advanced to the second round, held on Thursday, April 26.

At the elementary level representing the fifth grade from the Terry Sanford and E.E. Smith attendance areas were the top two students from , Lucile Souders, , Warrenwood, Westarea, Alger B. Wilkins, , T.C. Berrien and Vanstory Hills Elementary Schools.

The top two finishers at the second level were second place, Madelaine Twedell, of Vanstory Hills Elementary School whose topic was the United Service Organization, better known as the USO, and first place winner, Dev Sashidhar, of who spoke about the Peace Corps.

The top three winners were presented trophies and all competitors were awarded ribbon medals.

Congratulations to all the students and school coordinators for putting their best into preparing for the annual competition. I'm sure each student will move forward and embody the spirit of volunteerism like in their topics.