NEDERLAND - Public speaking is a skill that not all possess. It requires your mind to remain sharp, your focus to be divided, and your brain and mouth to cooperate with each other. You must remain faithful to the speech on the page, ensuring that your inflection stays perfect, and that the crowd continues to be engaged. 

While public speaking is a balance of wits, poise, and reading a room, none of it matters without the words behind the elocution. 

Speech writing is in a category all its own, as it requires technical expertise in addition to a mastery of the written language as an art form. An effective speech should have its research presented in an organized and sensible structure, with enough passion and intrigue expressed in the words and their delivery so that the speech never feels structured. 

To write and deliver a speech is a balancing act between the two halves of the human brain. And while there are few with the fortitude and mental flexibility who can commit to this balancing act, the Town of Nederland is lucky to have three young members of its community who have what it takes. 

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Nederland Lion’s Club, in collaboration with the Nederland Community Library, presented the first ever Youth Speech Contest. Three high school students entered the friendly contest for the chance to win a cash prize and be entered into competition at a regional level. 

The contestants were tasked with writing a five- to seven-minute long speech answering the question of “What role can you play to help young people develop a 'we serve' mindset in today's world?"

Evelyne Stanton gave an impassioned speech titled “We Serve,” which asked the audience to consider a world where everyone adopted this mindset, not just the youth. 

“I say don’t only go and ask what other people can do, ask what you can do. And most importantly do it,” Stanton’s speech reads. “Work with others and do what must be done to help resolve an issue. It may be difficult, but it will be worth it; not just for yourself, but for the rest of the world. 

“If you want the youth to serve others, first serve them. If you want anyone to serve others, first serve them. Then, once they do start serving others, appreciate their work.”

Misty Evanson’s speech evoked the local spirit, with a call to those in positions of authority to practice encouragement and empathy.

“Many of our youth usually learn through observation, and get encouraged by passion for their interest, so encouraging our youth to serve our community would have to start with more adults serving the community,” Evanson’s speech continued.

“Instead of parents encouraging their children to do their chores, they should also encourage them to plant trees, help the elderly cross streets, volunteer, and just in general care about their community. “

Ruby Gustafson presented her empowering speech on the tools that the youth possess to identify the challenges before them and influence those around them to make a change.

“In just a year or a few short years almost all of us will be voting members of society. We will be using our voices to say who and what we want running our country,” Gustafson’s speech reads.

“We will be using our voices to say what we believe in, and what we believe is the right thing, and whether or not you are in agreement with those around you, you are 100% more likely to do the right thing if you commit yourself to educating yourself on the power that voting is.”

The three contest judges deliberated as they graded each contestant’s speech and performance based on several criteria, including originality, adherence to the topic, voice control and enunciation, and emotional impact.

Stanton won third place and was awarded $50; Evanson won $75 for second place; and Gustafson won first place, receiving $200 and advancing to district level competition in Denver on April 5, where she will compete against other students from across the Front Range.  

“They are all winners here today and I’d like to congratulate them for making the effort to do this,” Lion’s Club President Ann Marie Morgan said. “It’s a big deal to get up and speak for five to seven minutes and it’s a heavy topic.”

“I just have to say how wonderful and fantastic the three of you are, to stand up here and speak to people you don’t even know. We really appreciate your efforts today to come and do this with us,” offered Mary Meyer-Scully, Lion’s Club member and main organizer of the Youth Speech Contest.

“A special congratulations to our speakers; you’re all pioneers,” NCL Director Elektra Greer said to the contestants. “The first time is always the hardest, it’s the riskiest, the scariest, and you all are the first who had the courage to take the chance to start this off.”

Greer added that she hopes others are inspired by the work of their peers, and are encouraged to join the contest next year to have their voices be heard.