Students expand on topic of Internet at Lions Club event

The 69th annual student speakers contest sponsored by the Lions Clubs of California and Nevada was held Friday at the Community Building in Walker. The topic this year was "The Internet Ð hero or villain?" Four area high school students each prepared a 10-minute speech that was designed to provide an opportunity for competitive public speaking among students on a subject of vital interest while stimulating self-expression and independent thinking. John Elliott, the Antelope Valley Lions' chairperson for the evening, told those assembled that he had also competed in the Lions Club speech contest in 1950 in Henderson.

Awards are furnished at the six different levels of competition with the first level for area students provided by the Coleville Lions. The winner of the evening will advance to the next level while honing their speaking skills. The three judges for the evening were Doris Spencer, Marye Roeser and David Laughlin who scored detailed evaluation cards while the student speakers delivered their talks.

Representing Coleville High School was Amber Hershey, a senior, and Brittany Rupp, a sophomore, while sophomore Caren Newman and senior Courtney Northington represented the Eastern Sierra Academy in Bridgeport. One speaker stated that the Internet was changing lives "pixel by pixel." Courtney Northington, winner of the contest, spoke about the Internet as neither a hero or a villain, but rather a "tragic hero." Congratulations to all the student speakers for a job well done and good luck to Courtney at the next competition, which is zone level on March 4 in Bishop.

For those who may not be familiar with the mission of the Lions Club, they are men and women who volunteer their time for humanitarian causes. By conducting service projects and raising funds, the Lions strive to help those in need wherever the need exists. The Lion's motto is "We Serve." We are fortunate in Antelope Valley that we have an energetic Lions Club that takes their motto seriously.

AARP free tax help program available in Bishop

This tax program is for taxpayers with middle and low-income with special attention to those age sixty and older. IRS and AARP counselors are available and qualified to answer most all of the tax issues you face both in the preparation of your tax returns and electronically filing them for you. The free program is scheduled for Feb. 1 through April 17 at the Bishop Senior Center. Antelope Valley residents are welcome to participate and should contact Carolyn Poindexter at (760) 873-3286 to schedule an appointment. To take the bus to Bishop for a tax appointment call (800) 922-1930 or check with Sid Hayes, director of the local senior center.

Dates to remember

Today at 6 p.m. - Antelope Valley Fire meeting

March 2 - Regional Planning Advisory Committee meeting. Sorry, I had previously been given the wrong date.

n Marylin Portman can be reached by e-mail at mportman@direcway.com