Community Corner

Los Altos Student Places First in Rotary Club Regional Speech Contest

Los Altos and Santa Cruz students earn first and second place at Los Gatos Rotary-hosted regional.

Inspiring messages about the importance of democracy, the power of a single penny, the danger of a culture of fear and terror and the unifying power of sports were delivered by young orators participating in the regional Rotary speech contest in Los Gatos Tuesday afternoon.

Mountain View High School student Akshay Shrivastava and Santa Cruz Harbor High School student Joey McMurry won first and second place, respectively. Monte Vista Christian School student Sara Reichel and Homestead High School student Evany Huang placed third and fourth place during the tournament for Rotary Club District 5170.

The youth emerged from a group of about 100 other contestants who competed across 30 Rotary clubs in the South Bay.

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"These students represent the best and brightest of our local high schools," said Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District Superintendent Cary Matsuoka, who moderated the contest during the Los Gatos Rotary Club lunch meeting at the Los Gatos Lodge.

The theme for this year's contest is "Building Communities, Bridging Continents" and students had to incorporate into their speeches the elements of the so-called Rotary four-way test: "Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

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Each student spoke for five minutes. 

Shrivastava, who lives in Los Altos, and McMurry, who lives in Santa Cruz, each won $250. They will now compete at the district contest April 6 at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose.

Shrivastava, the son of Aarti and Dhairya Shrivastava, is a senior who boasts a 4.6 grade-point average. He was representing the Los Altos Rotary Club. At Mountain View High School he participates in speech and debate and the Youth Forensics League. He hopes to earn a doctoral degree in clean energy policy and do charity work in India.

McMurry is a senior who's interested in writing, chemistry, sports, radio broadcasting and coaching. He's planning to attend the University of Oregon in the fall and double major in journalism and sports management.

Reichel is a junior who's interested in English and computers. She participates in cheerleading, coaching young girls, Associated Student Body and hopes to major in graphic communications. She's a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity cheerleader and Interact Club.

Huang is a junior who performs with the Homestead High School marching band and wind ensemble. She's a member of Future Business Leaders of America, is an AVID tutor, a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Foundation. She wants to earn a master's degree in business administration and hopes to attend University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business or the University of Chicago.


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