English students show off their speech skills

LYNN – Talking out of turn in class is frowned upon, but speaking well in school can be rewarded, particularly if it’s a speech contest.Three Lynn English High School students, Osayaba Ayinla, Jacob DeFillipo and Zurich Deleon made it through the first level of a citywide speech contest sponsored by the Lions Clubs of Lynn.During the second level of competition, Ayinla, a junior, won the right to represent Lynn in the next phase of competition, which includes facing off against students from surrounding communities.For the competition, each student wrote their own 5-10 minute speech based on the topic, “How Do I Want to be Remembered.”Audience members were visibly moved to hear Ayinla’s speech, “Let’s live a life of purpose and be remembered,” as well as Deleon, who spoke about becoming an actress and giving back to the community, and DeFillipo, who spoke about the value of being remembered, “Just for being nice.”The students were coached by LEHS teachers Colbe Mazzarella and Kevin Gallagher. Osayaba was not the only Ayinla family winner in the contest. Although he was chosen the best speaker in Lynn, his brother Osayi was named the winner of the freshman contest.Principal Thomas Strangie had nothing but praise for the three winners.”The fact that all three speakers come from LEHS makes us all proud,” he said. “This is a testament to our student body and the great education that our faculty provides, including ample opportunity for oral presentations. I couldn’t be happier. No matter who goes on farther in the contest, they are all winners.”The winners were selected by the city’s three Lions Clubs: Lynn, Wyoma and Shoe City Lions, organized by Donna Hartshorn, youth speech coordinator. Lynn’s students have a reputation as strong speakers and several have made it to the statewide finals. Meaghan O’Hare of St. Mary’s placed second in the state in 2001 while Classical’s Elizabeth Tavares (2003) and Sheila Payen (2004) and English’s Anbelkys Marte (2006 and 2007) made it to the top five in the state.With this year’s competition barely wrapped up, the topic for next year’s contest has already been announced: “Respect – Where Has it Gone?”Students in all of the city’s high schools are invited to compete and those interested can contact their school or www.lionsyouthspeech.org.