Four local middle school students presented speeches titled “MY Hero is . . .” at the Elm street School gymnasium on May 24. Lindsey Kasik took an honorable mention. Chelsea Pickett took third, Brittany Groves took second and Alycia Hawley took home first place. The three top winners competed in Auburn on June 10 at the police station. The three winners at this district competition received scholarships of $1,500, $1,000 and $500. This oratorical contest was sponsored by the Optimist Club represented by Charlton Beckett and George Matthews. Karen Downing, ETS instructor, was the support person at Elm Street School. The contest was designed to inspire today’s youth to motivate and inform others through the art of public speaking. Left to right picture above are Chelsea Pickett, Brittany Groves, Lindsey Kasik and Alycia Hawley.