High school students invited to apply for speech contest

The fourth annual Speech Trek for Auburn-area high school students will take place Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. All sophomores, juniors and seniors at public, private and home-based schools (girls and boys) are invited to apply. Coordinated and funded by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the goal of Speech Trek is to encourage young people to analyze a speech prompt, research relevant facts, organize their ideas logically, and speak persuasively. Three local high school girls were finalists in Auburn's third annual Speech Trek. Riley Davidson and Kealey Shohet, juniors at Del Oro, were the first- and second-place winners, receiving checks for $600 and $400. Josie Keister of Placer placed third and received a check for $300. This year, there will also be prizes for fourth- and fifth -place contestants. Students who are interested in practicing public speaking skills are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Retired teachers will support students in shaping their speeches, creating rough drafts and practicing their delivery. Students are highly encouraged to take advantage of these community resources. There is no cost for the coaching, and meetings will take place over Zoom or at your school. Public speaking is an invaluable skill for helping to solve the 21st century's problems. Better communications and thoughtful analysis of opportunities will be needed more than ever. Furthermore, a significant aspect of writing a speech is practicing critical thinking skills. The ability to think on your feet and clearly state your position can make the difference in job interviews, community discourse and even in family relationships. The prompt for this year's contest is a Call to Action for the Freedom Envisioned in the Declaration of Independence. For more information about Speech Trek and to receive a registration form, contact SusanRoughgarden@gmail.com. Auburn's AAUW branch is active and has awarded college scholarships to local high school graduates every year since it was founded 75 years ago. Scholarships are awarded to high school graduates, students transferring from a community college to a four-year college, and to women who are re-entering college later in life. Girls who are graduating from high school in 2026 are urged to talk with their counselors about the AAUW scholarship application. AAUW Auburn also raises money for rising eighth-grade girls to attend a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) summer camp at UC Davis or UC Santa Cruz called Tech Trek. Girls get an opportunity to live in a college dorm for a week, on science projects, attend science seminars and interact with women who have STEM careers. Middle school teachers are currently nominating students to apply for Tech Trek.