The Malibu Optimist Club hosted its 47th annual Oratorical Contest on March 3 at Pepperdine University’s Raitt Recital Hall. The year’s contest boasted nine participants, ranging from seventh-grade to ninth-grade from Malibu High School and Our Lady of Malibu. The students wrote speeches on the topic “Why Me, Why Not?”
Sarah Corrigan (MHS) won the girls competition. Caleigh Wells (OLM) placedsecond. Haley Graham (MHS) took the third spot. And Kristiana Konkol-Morczkowski (MHS) was the runner-up.
In the boys contest, Cody Phillips (MHS) was the winner. Jack Walecki (MHS) earned second place. Drake Baglietto (MHS) was third. And Davis Thacker (MHS) and Sean Sullivan (OLM) were fourth and fifth runners-up respectively.
In both competitions, the winners received gold medals, as well as $300 savings bonds, second-place received silver medals and $200 savings bonds and third-place received bronze medals and $100 savings bonds. The winners will go on to compete next month at the Zone Oratorical Contest.
There was a strong showing of more than 72 attendees at this year’s contest, including six judges from the city of Malibu and Pepperdine communities.