Among those at the Maine Speak Out Competition held Wednesday, March 24, at Mt. Abram High School were Dick Horne, president of the New Portland Lion’s Club, which sponsored the contest, first place winner senior Thaddeus Torres, second place winner senior Jordan Burton and Pat Franz Stratton-Eustis Lions Club co-chair of the State Speak Out competitions. (Laura Dunham photo) SALEM — The New Portland Lion’s Club sponsored the Mt. Abram Maine Speak Out competition on Wednesday night, March 24, part of a series of Maine Speak Out competitions sponsored by local Lion’s Clubs.

District 41 Lion’s Club saluted two seniors from Mt. Abram who gave their five minute presentations on subjects of their own choosing.

Thaddeus Torres spoke on the topic of not rushing into growing up and being a child as long as you can. Now, children have cell phones at nine years old, watch crime on television and other suggestive programs, said Torres. “We take our youth for granted,” he said and urged the young people (he’s 19 years old) “don’t grow up so fast, be a child as long as you can.” Torres walked away with the first prize and a certificate of achievement.

The second speaker, 18-year-old Jordan Burton, addressed the subject of Gay Marriage stating that he had obtained a lot of information on his subject from researching the Maine votes and polls on Gay issues. Burton received the second place monetary award along with a certificate of achievement.

New Portland Lion’s Club president Dick Horne said that this was the first year his club had been involved in the Speak Out competition and members were very excited about taking part and felt it was very interesting to get the students involved and hopefully get Carrabec High School into the program next year.

Guests of Honor at the Mt. Abram presentation were Second Vice District Governor Tony Arruda of Wyman Township, Maine State Representative Wright Pinkham also a member of the New Portland Lion’s Club and Bruce Jellison, Regional Chairman of Region 6 of Wilton.

Judges for the competition were Lynn Jellison, Cathy Horne and Eldon McLean.

On Tuesday night, March 30, the State Speak Out Competition was held at Mt. Blue High School. The competitors were Robert Cesar sponsored by the Wilton Lion’s Club, Rebecca Dunham sponsored by the Stratton-Eustis Lion’s Club and Abbi Davis sponsored by the Farmington Lion’s Club.

Thursday, April 1, the winners in all the speak out contests competed in semi finals at the Manchester Lion’s Club and on April 24 the final winner will speak at the State Convention at 1 p.m. at Sunday River Resort.