High school students across Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties showcased their public speaking skills during Jamestown Community College's 14th annual College Connections Speech Contest, which was held in April at JCC's Scharmann Theatre. Students enrolled in JCC's College Connections public speaking course were selected by their high schools to participate in the competition. The 12 contestants were asked to discuss one of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, explain why they would advocate for that goal, and identify actions that could help advance it.
A panel of judges selected Addison Lendt, a senior at Westfield Academy and Central School, as the contest winner. McKenzie Anderson, a junior at Maple Grove Junior/Senior High School, was runner up, while Gina Delgado, a senior at Jamestown High School, placed third.
Other participants included Aubrey Ecklund and Olivia Eckman of Frewsburg Central School; Vonnegut Chadwick of Jamestown High School; Will Benson of Maple Grove Junior/Senior High School; Jackson Burnham and Jackson Scolton of Panama Central School; Johnson Li and Amelia Lopez of Ten Broeck Academy in Franklinville; and Benjamin Wolfe of Westfield Academy and Central School.
Students from each participating school attended the event to support their classmates.
Photos by Jamestown Community College
