20th ANNUAL PRO LIFE ORATORY CONTEST, 2024
ATTENTION H.S. JUNIORS & SENIORS
High school juniors and seniors including home schoolers, you have the voice, the enthusiasm, the spirit and the opportunity to speak up for the voiceless and marginalized members of the human family-the pre-born, the frail elderly and the disabled.
Please consider participating in the annual Oratory Contest sponsored by the Long Island Coalition for Life Educational Trust to be held at Joseph Barry Council of Knights of Columbus, 45 Heitz Place, Hicksville, NY on Saturday, March 23rd 2024 at 1 PM. You will have the opportunity to express in a logical and organized way your respect for the life of every individual no matter how small or incapacitated. The first, second and third place winners will receive $1000, $600 and $400 respectively.
Contestants are to research, write, and present an original 5-7 minute speech on one of these topics directly, using other topics only as support.:
- Abortion
- Assisted Suicide
- Bioethics (as it relates to pro-life)
- Black Genocide (through abortion
- Cloning/Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- Ectogenesis
- Eugenics (as it relates to pro-life)
- Euthanasia
- Fetal Development (in the context of abortion)
- Infanticide
- Legal Points – Right to Life
- Men & Abortion
- Post Abortion
- Pro Life Apologetics
- Special Needs/Down Syndrome (as it relates to pro life)
Contestants can refer to notes during speech but should not read it. Please complete the following application and return it along with your written speech by Feb. 20, 2024 to MakeRoom4Him@gmail.com
Download Application Here: https://prolifeed.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Oratory-Contest-ApplicationRev.doc
Download Rules Here: https://prolifeed.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oratory-Contest-Rules.doc
LONG ISLAND COALITION FOR LIFE
19TH ANNUAL ORATORY CONTEST SUMMARY
The Nineteenth Annual High School Oratory Contest, sponsored by the Long Island Coalition for Life Educational Trust, was held On March 25th, 2023 at Knights of Columbus, Joseph Barry Council in Hicksville.
Students in grades 11 and 12 were invited to research, write and deliver a 5-7 minute original speech on the life issues such as abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, or cloning/stem cell research.
The judges praised the excellent quality and fine presentations of the speeches, resulting in difficult judging!
The first place winner was Kathleen Hovestadt from St Pius V High School, 2nd Place winner was Elizabeth Halpin who attends Kellenberg Memorial High School, and 3rd Place was awarded to Olivia Hand who also attends St. Pius V. Prizes of $1000, $600 and two at $400, along with plaques were awarded to these excellent speakers.
Also participating were Nora Butler From Kellenberg, Nicholas Maisano who attends Chaminda High School, and Catherine Ryan who is homeschooled. All participants did a fine job and we sincerely thank them for their participation! Thanks also to their parents for supporting them in this worthwhile endeavor.
Robert L. Dougherty Esq. is the generous supporter who provided prize money for the contest. Judges were George Frost, Kathy Feldman and Fred Peritore.
Thanks to Sr Marie Chabanel and Sr. MaryAnn from St. Pius V, and Brother Michael Gillen from Kellenberg, who all encouraged/coordinated with students and attended the contest.
18TH ANNUAL ORATORY CONTEST SUMMARY
The Eighteenth Annual High School Oratory Contest, sponsored by the Long Island Coalition for Life Educational Trust, was held On March 26th, 2022 at Knights of Columbus, Joseph Barry Council in Hicksville.
Students in grades 11 and 12 were invited to research, write and deliver a 5-7 minute original speech on the life issues such as abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, or cloning/stem cell research.
The judges praised the excellent quality and fine presentations of the speeches, resulting in difficult judging!
The first place winner was Kathryn Gheckas, 2nd Place went to Margaret Fantz, while there was a tie for 3rd place between Angelina Stein and Deirdre Carroll. This year all the contestants came from St Pius. V High School in Melville and we sincerely thank them for their particpation!
Prizes of $500, $300 and $200 along with plaques were awarded to the top three speakers. Robert L. Dougherty Esq. is the generous supporter who provided most of the prize money for the contest. Judges were George Frost, Kathy Feldman and Eric Waxman.
Thanks to Sr Marie Chabanel and Sr. Bernadette from St. Pius V, whom encouraged/coordinated with students and attended the contest.
Thanks also to Dan Sherry, Charlie Feldman and Jack O’Brien for also attending and helping to make this a very successful event. It was so wonderful to hear the younger generation speaking up for LIFE!