Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley recently sat in judgment of four contestants in the annual Student Speakers Contest held by the L.A. Host Lions Club on February 12 at Taix restaurant in the Echo Park district northwest of Downtown.
Cooley joined the judging panel in assessing five-minute speeches in favor and against the concept of a universal healthcare system, delivered by Juan Apparicio of Central High School #9 School of Visual and Performing Arts; Alejandro Fernandez of the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex; Esther Park of Belmont High School; and Crystal Gordon of Hoover High School in Glendale.
Cooley also told the luncheon gathering of local Lions Club that he had participated in the annual contest in a banquet room at Taix back in 1965. Cooley said that didn't win top honors, but did benefit from the experience. He even brought a photograph from the long-ago event, and contestants, judges and luncheon guests all enjoyed the look back.
Fernandez finished at the top of this year's competition, and won a $50 prize, while the other finalists earned $25 each. Fernandez earned the right to continue in the competition, which progresses five more levels of competition, with a final contest organized by representatives of the Lions Club from throughout California. Cash and scholarships are awarded at each level, and the ultimate winner will receive a total of $20,800 in prizes.
Photo from L.A. Garment & Citizen.
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