Community & Business
2 March, 2022
Alannah speaks from the heart
MAREEBA’S most “inspirational students” from Mareeba State High School and St Stephen’s Catholic College went head-to-head Saturday night to find the best public speaker at this year's Lions Youth of the Year Club Final.
After a morning of interviews and preparing their general knowledge for the mindboggling impromptu questions, Alannah Falvo of St Stephen’s was named the overall winner, with fellow student Joshua Snell coming in second, taking out the best public speaker of the night award.
Alannah’s speech highlighted the dark side of the horsing racing industry in Australia, and how the use of tongue ties and whips was inhumane and wrong.
Last year, she was one of the youngest participants and didn’t make it to the next round, so over the past 12 months she has worked hard to improve her public speaking skills and was excited to finally make it.
“It’s very surprising and it's very exciting to win this year’s competition,” Alannah said.
“During the Melbourne Cup last year, I saw a lot of posts on social media, and I wanted to learn a lot more about what happens behind the scenes at races and that’s what inspired me to write my speech.
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“I’m taking it one step at a time and I’m hoping that I enjoy the Zone Final and if I am able to go further that will be an extra bonus.”
Fellow contestants spoke on various topics, including space exploration, movies and the importance of goal setting.
Alannah says she encourages anyone in Grade 11 or 12 next year to give the Lions Youth of the Year speaking competition a go, as it helps with students' future endeavours.
“Give it a go, it is an amazing experience, and it helps you improve your public speaking and interviewing skills and will guide you through lots of life experiences,” she said.
Alannah will now be joining other Lions Club winners from across the Tablelands in Malanda on March 5 to battle it out to the next round of Lions Youth of the Year 2022.
