Three Bulahdelah Central School students have been selected to compete at zone level this weekend in Medowie as part of the Lions Youth of the Year Quest.

This year, seven great young people from Bulahdelah Central School had the courage to enter the quest which is designed to encourage student interest in leadership.

Lioness Kate Milford said the program was targeted at youth when they were about to enter the fields of employment or higher education.

“It provides students with the incentive to pay greater attention to the general qualities, so vital in developing our youths into first class citizens,” she said.

“The qualities sought, apart from academic attainments are those of leadership, personality, sportsmanship, public speaking and good citizenship.”

Three students, Karl Price, Ellie Gooch and Tegan Davis competed at Tea Gardens on Monday 16 February where judges Ann and Geoff Scully and Mark Clemson had the difficult task of deciding who would proceed to the zone level of the quest.

On the Sunday before the round the contestants came to the home of Ann and Geoff Scully for their interviews.
“It was really nice to be able to do this in the relaxed environment of the home. Sunday was about cracking the shell and getting the kids to open up and talk,” judge Ann Scully said.

“These kids are quite remarkable,” she added.

On Monday evening the contestants were to deliver a prepared speech and answer two impromptu questions.
Karl and Ellie were chosen to continue on to zone.

On Wednesday 18 February four of the students competed at Bulahdelah. Jayden Lilley, Rehanna White, Joshua Collins and Jaxon Harris were interviewed and assessed by judges John Selimas, Jo Page and Carol Read.

All students impressed but Jaxon Harris stood out to be selected for zone.

Tea Gardens judge Ann Scully said the students could not speak highly enough of their mentor from Bulahdelah Central School, Deb Gilbert.

Ms Gilbert who supports the program said she was very proud of all the contestants in this “challenging yet rewarding process.”

“We wish our zone competitors the best of luck at this level,” she said.

The zone level of the judging will be hosted by the Lions Club of Medowie on Saturday 28 February with two winners from that level proceeding to Region on 8 March at Lemon Tree Passage.

Bulahdelah Central has had students enter the competition for four years now and is a strong supporter of the quest as the difference can be seen in the students as they grow in confidence.

“The Lioness and Lions of Tea Gardens and Bulahdelah are proud to be part of the development of these young people,” Kate Milford added.