Patrick Mobley (coach, CHS speech and debate), Jacqueline Estrada Diaz, first place winner Jessica Knutson, Parker Schmid, second place winner Olivia VanReese, Rotary Club of Carson City President Rich Perry.
Carson High School Senior Jessica Knutson won the Rotary Club of Carson City’s Speech Contest this week. Area high school students were invited to compete in the annual event to help them hone their public speaking skills and win cash prizes.
The topic, chosen by the club, was “Share with us a time that you have served others and how lives were impacted, including your own.” Knutson spoke about how a favorite class has benefitted students and herself.
“I teach and mentor in a speech and debate class. The students are a few years behind me in school, so I hope I can inspire them to pursue debate and public speaking. It is one of the most difficult and frustrating things I have done, yet also so rewarding. The classes are super exciting and lively.”
Rotarian Joe Walls says each student had a seven-minute time limit.
“Jessica came in at 6 minutes and 57 seconds!” he said. “All of the students did extremely well. Jessica was incredibly calm and well-spoken.”
Knutson and second place winner, Carson High School student Olivia VanReese, will both go on to the area contest which takes place in Minden next month.
After graduating from Carson High School, Knutson plans to attend college in England. She will pursue a degree in history at De MontFort University in Leicester.
The Rotary Club of Carson City hosts speech and music competitions as part of its commitment to serving and supporting young people in our community.
To learn more about the club and its youth programs and scholarships visit www.carsonrotary.org. To attend a weekly meeting email carsoncitynvrotary@gmail.com.
