VERO BEACH — Lauren Kenney, a student at St. Helen Catholic School in Vero Beach, has won first place in the Association of Florida Conservation District’s State Level Public Speaking Contest.
The state contest was held on Aug. 13 during the Association’s Annual Conference at the Holiday Inn and Suites Conference Center in Ocala. The topic for this year’s contest was “What is the economic impact of Florida forests?”
Lauren’s speech discussed the many ways that forestry contributes to the economy of Florida and included important topics such as conservation, hunting, and tourism. Lauren concluded her speech by encouraging everyone to plant a tree.
Thirteen-year-old Lauren is entering the eighth grade at St. Helen Catholic School. She competed and won against competitors from around the state who were 18.
Lauren was presented with a certificate and a $500 cash award from the AFCD for winning the competition. She was accompanied by her proud parents, Scott and Denise Kenney and her brother and two sisters.
In April, Lauren won first place in the local Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District’s public speaking contest qualifying her to compete at the Area level in Fort Pierce. Two weeks after winning the local contest, she won first place in the Area contest, which made it possible for her to participate in the State contest.
The Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District holds their annual speech contest every April. All Indian River County students are encouraged to participate. The top prize in the local contest is $500 for grades 10-12 and $100 for grades 6-9.
Please visit the District’s website for more information as it becomes available at www.irccdd.com/swcd.
