THE Lions Youth of the Year Quest is now in full swing.
Tea Gardens Lions Club and Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Lioness Club hosted the club judging of the contest on February 13.
The three contestants were from Bulahdelah Central School - Kimberley Spooner, Adam White and Jacob Horton.
The evening included a dinner where the students answered impromptu questions and presented prepared speeches to a panel of judges.
The allocation of points to the contestants is done on the basis of 80 per cent to a prior interview and 20 per cent on their presentations.
The judges, chairman Lou Moore, Pat Foyle and John Pollock were very impressed with the three candidates and regretted that not all of them could move on to the next stage of the competition.
"The difference between them was only as thick as a cigarette paper.
"All contestants bought honour to their school in the manner in which they handled themselves," Mr Moore said.
After careful consideration, the judges chose Kimberley and Jacob to partake in the Zone Final, to be held at Dungog.
If successful there, the candidates will move on to state representation.
The Lions Youth of the Year Quest is one of the largest Lions youth programs at Multiple District level.
It has been running since 1966 and each year, more than 2,500 students take part in the quest, with winners making their way through zone, region, district, state and national finals.
The quest provides tremendous benefits for our youth by providing them with:
* Opportunities to develop self-confidence,
* Experience in public speaking,
* Interview experience,
* Opportunities to meet and interact with other high achievers,
* Opportunities to travel and
* Worthwhile additions to their CVs.
The quest is designed to encourage student interest in leadership and the qualities required to take an active and constructive role in the community.
It does this by selecting an outstanding young person from candidates throughout Australia to travel overseas and act as an ambassador for Lions Clubs International Multiple District 201. The quest seeks a high level of academic, leadership, sporting, public speaking and citizenship achievement in its potential winners.
By emphasising these qualities it hopes to provide outstanding role models for the youth of Australia and an overall increase in the confidence of young men and women.
The main activities involved in the running of Lions Youth of the Year Quest include initial promotion in schools and local communities, judging of candidates, selection and announcement of the national winner, arrangements for the winner's overseas travel and attendance at an International Youth Camp and other finalists travel throughout Australia.
* The final judging for the quest will be held at the Lions Multiple District Convention next May.
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