District 7120 Governor Norma Madayag-Reilly (Newark Rotary Club), is shown with contest winners: Matthew Skinner (1st), Gracie Elliott (2nd), Blaithe Donovan (3rd), Ivana Hernandez (4th), JoAnna Northrop (5th), and Oratorical Chair, Past District Governor Jeff Krans of Penn Yan Rotary. Provided photoThe College at Brockport provided the location for a second year and Brockport Rotary provided much of the contest support staff: Mary Jo Orzech (a judge), Fred and Pam Kimmel (timers), Lori D’Angelo and Kristen Acquilano (escorts) and Pat Baker (photographer) for the district’s Oretorical Contest. The contest was originated by Jeff Krans (PDG) with input from Eric Parker (PDG) seven years ago. It provides talented high school students the opportunity to compete for over $160,000 in scholarships offered by local colleges and universities. District 7120 extends from near Syracuse westward through Monroe County and south to the Pennsylvania line including over 60 Rotary clubs in its area.
Jeff Krans (PDG) is shown with Mary Jo Orzech, a contest judge, director of the College’s Drake Library and a past president of Brockport Rotary. Provided photo.Ivana Hernandez, 4th place winner, is a Greece Central School District student who was nominated by the Rochester Latino Rotary Club. Ivana was one of 134 students who each wrote a 5-7 minute essay on Rotary’s four-way test. They each presented at one of 31 semifinals whose winners moved on to the finals. This year, the five winners selected were within a 32 point spread (out of 500 points).
Rotary’s 4-Way Test of the things which are said, thought and done provides an ethical goal that Rotarians strive to reach. The following questions were at the core of each students speech. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better relationships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
