WHILE the Lions Youth of the Year is a competition, it really feels like more of a celebration. It was certainly a celebration on Wednesday getting to know the five local participants – four from Biloela State High School and one from Redeemer Lutheran College, Biloela. Their passion, enthusiasm, intelligence, empathy, humour, leadership and contributions to their schools and the wider community all stood out during the competition.
The Lions Youth of the Year “aims to bring forth the next generation of outstanding young Australians” and the selection process is thorough, with entrants’ academic, sporting and cultural efforts and general knowledge put under the spotlight during individual interviews with a judging panel in the morning. Then, in the evening, their impromptu speaking skills and prepared speeches also formed part of the competition.
This year’s entrants – Zoe Delroy, Lachlan Trewin, Charley Johnston, Sophie Lipsys and Niharika “Siri” Peteti – spoke passionately about their chosen topics to an engrossed crowd, with topics ranging from brumbies, health care, anxiety, music, and a psychiatric disorder.
After the judges – Glenda Vasey, Ellie Verschaeren and Jen Gourley – deliberated, Zoe Delroy (Redeemer Lutheran College) was named the Callide Valley Lions Club winner and Siri Peteti (Biloela State High School) was named the Theodore Lions Club winner. Siri also won the public speaking competition on the night.
Zoe and Siri will now go on to represent these clubs at the regional finals at Bribie Island later this month.
Well done to all the students who participated. You all shone in your own special way and the future looks very bright with young people like yourselves displaying such passion, dedication, ethics, and enthusiasm.
