West Peorian Mahliyah Adkins-Threats, an eighth grader at Washington Gifted, won this year’s Noon Optimist Club Oratorical Contest held on Tuesday, March 3, at Barracks Cater Inn. Competing against area high school students, Mahliyah earned a $50 savings bond and a gold medal for her speech entitled, “For Me, Optimism Is,” which was this year’s topic for all entrants.
West Peorian Alex Menke, a Manual High School sophomore, earned a silver medal for a second place win.
(Photo left to right: Adkins-Threats, Menke)
