Owosso teen wins state speech contest

On May 10, Corunna native Sarah Camargo took home the first-place medal at this year's annual statewide prolife oratory contest sponsored by Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund. Twenty outstanding high school students from across the state gathered in Lansing for the competition. Each contestant had competed and won their own locally sponsored contests earlier this year with a five-seven minute speech concerning one of five life issues.

Sarah Camargo, a senior at Corunna High School, went home with the first place title and a check for $500 from Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund. She will now advance to the National level and compete in St. Louis, Missouri, at the National Right to Life Student Oratory contest on July 5.

The second place honor was awarded to Rachel Moxon, of Kalamazoo, and Deborah Lemmen, from Hamilton, earned the third place medal.

Oratory coordinator Amanda Peterman said, "The judges had a very difficult task this year. Each presenter was truly outstanding and had something unique to offer. These students represent the energy and sense of activism so prevalent in today's prolife youth across the state and the country."

Judging this year's contest were Judy Palnau, Public Information Specialist at the Michigan Public Service Commission, Paul Long, V.P. of Public Policy for the Michigan Catholic Conference and small business owner Rosemary Sandefer.