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DISTRICT YOUTH CONTEST |
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District 2-S2 Youth Contests District 2-S2 follows the MD-2 state guidelines for the three youth contests each year. The three youth contests are:
When will the district contest be held? Saturday, January 19, 2008 immediately following the District 2-S2 Mid-Winter Conference at the Humble Civic Center 8223 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble, Texas 77338 When is the deadline for applications to the district contest? All applications are to be in by December 14, 2007. Send all applications to the attention of District Contest Chair Lion Karina Blomquist 4813 Briarbend Dr. Houston, TX 77035 How does a club participate in the district contest? Each club “sponsors” a student to the district contest. All contestants must be sponsored by a club. How much does it cost to sponsor a student to the district contest? For each contest, the cost is $100. So, if a club sponsors a student to each contest, the total cost is $300. Where does the club get the student? Each club is encouraged to have a local contest following the same rules and procedures that will be followed at the district contest and select their candidate through their local contest. However, clubs may simply select a student or ask their local high school for a candidate. The student then completes an application and follows the rules for the particular contest they wish to enter. If a club is unable to obtain a contestant from their local community, the District Contest Chair may be able to match a student from another club’s contest with the club. What are the benefits to the club for holding their own local contests? Youth are the key to our future. Members will observe and be motivated by the great intellectual work local students can do. Club members will be more active locally – an active club is a happy club and will ultimately attract new members. All of the students that participate in your club’s contest have a parent that might be a prospective Lion too. How many Lions are needed on a committee to put on a contest? One motivated Lion can be the catalyst. It’s always more fun when several Lions work together. How would a club judge a local contest? The club’s committee could narrow down the number of contestants or even ask some local non-Lions or school personnel to assist (think prospective members!), if needed. Take the top 3 or 4 students and have the students present their speech, essay, or be interviewed, in front of the club and let the club determine who represents the club at the district contest. May a student participate in more than one contest? Yes. One student can participate in all three district contests. However, a club may only sponsor one student per contest and it can be the same student for all three contests. May the club offer scholarship money to their winners? Yes. Clubs are encouraged to tie some of the scholarship money they may award each year to these contests. Offering scholarship money locally is a great way to encourage student participation in your club’s contest. Can a club sponsor a student if the club doesn’t hold their own contest? Yes. Participants in another club’s contest will be matched with your club so the student can be sponsored and participate in the district contest. Can a club donate money for the district contest even though they do not sponsor a student? Yes. Money for the scholarships comes from the sponsorship dollars. There were years in the past where there was not enough student participants at the club level and the money available for scholarships was very minimal. If every club would contribute at least $100 to the district contest, whether a student was sponsored or not, the district would be able to award meaningful scholarships. How much scholarship money will be awarded at the district contest? The 1st and 2nd place winner at each district contest in January 2008 will win a $500 scholarship. Then, the 1st place student gets the first opportunity to represent District 2-S2 at the MD-2 State Contest in June 2008. If the 1st place student cannot go to the state contest, then the 2nd place student gets that opportunity. Whichever student goes to the state contest, another $500 will be awarded to that student as an incentive to attend the state contest. Therefore, the 1st place winner at the District 2-S2 Contest can potentially win $1000 total. If there are enough students sponsored by the clubs in each contest, it is possible the scholarship money could be increased through a 3rd place winner. What would be a good time frame for a club to hold a contest? The club may hold their local contests at any time they deem necessary. However, please see the deadline for district contest applications above. Clubs could have a program with each contest in the months of October, November, and December with the following schedule: Drug Awareness Speech – Red Ribbon Week is in the month of October. Diabetic Essay – national diabetes awareness month is November. Outstanding Youth – early December. Where does a club get the district contest rules? Where does a club get the applications for their contestants? Sample rules that may be modified as needed for a club contest are included: Who can I call if I have any questions? District Contest Chair Lion Karina Blomquist can
be reached at |