Camillus Optimist Speech Winner to Compete at the International World Competition

Headshot of Elena PachecoOn April 30, 2022 West Genesee High School sophomore Elena Pacheco placed first at the New Hartford District contest for the Optimist International Oratorical contest. 

She will compete at the Optimist International World competition that is being held at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri on July 21-22, 2022. The topic this year is “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times”.


Camillus Optimist Speech Winners Share Speeches on “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times”

On February 15, six students from West Genesee High School gave speeches around the theme, “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times” to members of the Camillus Optimist Club.

The Optimists chose Elena Pacheco to represent them at the next District competition of the 2022 Oratorical Contest that will be held on April 30 in New Hartford.

Other participants from the high school included: Sienna Baron, Janaya Jones, James Manard,  Lia Rice, and Alyssa Winters.

English teacher Suzanne Ostrander coordinated the competition for the students from the high school which was conducted via zoom.

The judges from Toastmasters International shared, “that they were “blown away by the level of speaking ability for students.  This is a talented group year after year”.

Thank you to the Camillus Optimists for sponsoring this event every year and to the Rosanna Giampaolo for coordinating this wonderful event.

Camillus Optimists Speech Contest
Pictured from left to right is Sienna Baron, James Manard, Elena Pacheco, Lisa Rice and Alyssa Winters. (Participant not pictured is Janaya Jones.)