On Saturday 6 April, Chloe Ward from A. B. Paterson College, Arundel won a very close competition to represent the Lions Club District Q1 Youth of the Year. Chloe will now travel to Cairns for the Youth of the Year State Finals. Her “The Values of Values” was a power full testament to her own thoughts and values.

Samuel Simmons from Richmond Christian College, Ballina won the Public Speaking section. He won through his speeches on” Is knowledge more important than wisdom?”, “The western world's youth have never had worse mental health. How do we fix it?” and “The Power of One”.

For over 60 years, the Lions Club Youth of the Year has been seeking a national representative from schools and colleges based on their leadership in their school or college, sporting, cultural, citizenship achievements over the last 2 years.

Each entrant was sponsored by their local Lions Clubs and their schools. They competed in Club, Zone, and Regional Finals to reach this stage.

Our finalists were Chloe Ward (A. B. Paterson College, Carrara Lions Club), Samuel Simmons (Richmond Christian College, Ballina Lions Club), Amelia Bieniek (Sans Sisto, Brisbane Camp Hill Carindale), Annaliese McCosker (St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe Lions Club) and Izzabella Lower (Boonah State High School, Fassifern Lions Club).

If Chloe is selected as the State Representative, she will go to the National Lions Multiple District 201 Convention which will held in Darwin in May.

Photo: Public Speaking Winner – Samuel Simmons, Youth of the Year Winner – Chloe Ward and Lions MD201Q1 District Governor Savva Argyrou

Photo: Lions MD201Q1 District Governor Savva Argyiou, Izzabella Lower (Boonah State High School), Amelia Bieniek (San Sisto College), Annaliese McCosker (St Joseph School), Samuel Simmons (Richmond Christian College) and Chloe Ward (A.B. Paterson College)

Chloe Ward Did Q1 Proud

On 26-27 April, in Cairns, Chloe Ward represented the District in the State Youth of the Year Final. The four District representatives proved the future is un good hands as they spoke about their aspirations with the judges and Lions members in the Friday night’s ‘Meet and Greet’.

Saturday held the morning interviews then the dinner and speeches, the process was the same as it was in all the finals they have already attended.

After the powerful speeches, the judges retired and the night relaxed. Finally, the judges returned and announced the winners. The Public Speaker AND Youth of the Year Winner was Cadence Taylor, District Q4, Bundaberg State High School and representing the Lions Club of Bagara.

Chloe was a terrific representative for her family, school and District and presented herself as a confident, committed young woman. Nikki, Chloe’s mother, and Chloe want to give back to Lions, Chloe has already started to provide mentoring to future Youth of the Year entrants at her school.

The finalists have made some firm friends who will no doubt remain friends throughout their futures.

We wish Cadence all the best for the National Finals in Darwin.