EHS Students Explore AI in Lions Club Speech Contests

Etna High School students recently demonstrated their public speaking abilities at two Lions Club Speech Contests, addressing the timely topic “AI: Friend or Foe?” The competitions, hosted by the Etna and Fort Jones Lions Clubs as part of the 88th annual MD4 Student Speaker Contest, showcased eleven speakers, with ten being seniors from Mrs. Katie Morris’s Honors English class.

At the Etna Lions Club, six students presented their perspectives, with Hayden Chapelle winning the competition. The Fort Jones Lions Club event featured five Honors English students, where Dean McDonald earned top honors. Each participant received a $25 award, with winners earning additional prizes of $75 and $100 respectively.

Throughout their speeches, these young scholars offered insightful analysis of artificial intelligence’s role in modern society. They explored AI’s potential benefits in fields like healthcare and data processing while thoughtfully addressing concerns about job displacement, privacy, and educational implications. The speakers demonstrated sophisticated understanding of the need to balance technological advancement with human oversight and values.

These local competitions mark the beginning of a broader contest series that offers substantial scholarship opportunities. As winners advance through Zone, Regional, and District levels, they can earn increasingly significant awards, with potential scholarship money totaling up to $22,000. The next stage of competition begins with the Zone level on March 9th, followed by the Regional competition on March 13th.

The Lions Club’s 88-year speech contest tradition continues to empower students with vital communication skills while challenging them to explore complex issues.

We wish both Hayden Chapelle and Dean McDonald success as they advance to the Zone competition in March.

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