Lions Youth of the Year Quest winner Courtney Higgs (front right) with runner-up contestants (from left) Annie Busiko, Emma Hill and Meg Vine, who won the public speaking award.
FOUR Naracoorte High School seniors put their public speaking skills to the test at the Lions Youth of the Year Quest on Monday evening.
Courtney Higgs was deemed the winner after competing against peers Annie Busiko, Meg Vine and Emma Hill.
After an interview with the judges during the day each student presented two impromptu speeches and one prepared speech to an audience of Lions members, parents and other locals at the Naracoorte Hotel.
The night was opened by master of ceremonies Derek Blackwell before quest chair Ross Gleeson kicked off the formalities.
The girls were tested in the two-minute impromptu speeches which were on the topics of drugs in sport and benefits to increasing the time teenagers have their learner's permit for.
The prepared speeches were slightly easier and well rehearsed.
Courtney spoke on her passion for rural living, Annie on underage drinking, Emma on the Australian volleyball schools competition and Meg on procrastination.
After much deliberation, judges Chris Hanley, Liz Broadstock and Peter Flavel announced the winner as Courtney and the public speaking award which went to Meg.
Naracoorte Lions Club has been running the quest for 31 years, offering the winner the chance to go on exchange in New Zealand.
The aim is to foster, encourage and develop leadership in conjunction with other citizen qualities in young people.
Courtney will go on to compete in the regional final at Beachport on March 9.
