HARRISON – The Norway-Paris and Harrison Lions Club held a Speak-Out contest at the Harrison Lions Den recently.

The contest was open to full-time students of any accredited school in grades nine through 12. The local contest featured Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School students.

First place was awarded to Bobbi Surette of Harrison; second, Joshua Desrosier of Hebron; third, Sean Merz of South Paris; and fourth, Garret Kilfoyle of South Paris. Surette will advance to Speak-Out at the multiple district level to be held on Saturday, April 28, at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

Speech coach is Oxford Hills High School English teacher Richard Merz.

Speak-Out offers a place to listen as well as to speak-out. Effective public speaking is an important skills for community leaders.