Optimists Club Oratorical Contest Winners Announced
Three local students participated in the annual Plant City Optimist Club Oratorical Contest on Mon., Feb. 19 and the top two finishers, Durant High School senior Gabby Howell and Plant City High School sophomore Marley Mueller, have advanced to the Zone Six competitions against Lakeland and Winter Haven’s top two finishers on Mar. 25.
The theme of this year’s contest was “How to Change the World with Optimism.” The students presented their four to five minute orations in front of an audience of nearly 30 people, including their family and guests as well as club members and contest judges.
“It takes a lot of strength for these students to get up in front of strangers and family to give these speeches,” said Jack Holland, Optimist Club Secretary/Treasurer and event master of ceremonies. “It is rewarding to see the development of these students and their confidence when giving their speeches.”
Holland said improved public speaking skills will benefit them in their future careers.
The results of the event are:
1st Place: Gabby Howell
2nd Place: Marley Mueller
3rd Place: Jazmin Richarte
The top two finishers from the Zone Six competition will go on to the North Florida District’s Southwest Regional Contest for the Tampa Bay Area in April. Regional winners then advance to the North Florida District Finals in Bushnell, where a $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to the District Champion, a $1,500 scholarship for second place and a $1,000 scholarship for third place.
A Plant City club representative has won the North Florida District finals competition and received the college scholarship nine times since 2001. Winners have included Jacob Rayburn (2001), Caycee Hampton (2002), Nathan Carson (2008), Amanda Williamson (2009), Mylie Feaster (2011), Jesse Bingham (2012), Emma Poole (2015), Caroline Brummer (2016 and Katelyn Yarbrough (2017).
Last year, the two local finalists, Kenley Connell and Kyleigh Elliott, advanced all the way to the North Florida District finals, coming in second and third place, receiving scholarships of $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.
For more information about the Optimist Club of Plant City, visit its website at plantcityoptimistclub.org.
Plant City Represented By Mueller at Florida State Elks Youth Hoop Shoot Event
Baylor Mueller, 9, competed in the Elks Hoop Shoot event held at the Florida State Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, where she took home second place in her age division. She’s already practicing for next year’s event. “The Plant City Elks is so proud of Baylor, said Elks Exalted Ruler George Domedion. “She represented us well.”
Mossy Hollow Market Returns to Metals & Nature This Saturday
Mossy Hollow Market will be back this Saturday, Feb. 24 at Metals & Nature and is bigger than ever. After a successful first event last year, the market will return with almost twice as many vendors, live music and a mushroom parade headed up by Spotlight Plant City, a potions bar, wishing cauldron and roaming costumed characters.
The market will run from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 are free with a paid adult admission. The market will also feature a local Plant City business table, where guests can pick up free samples and business cards from local businesses.
Registration Open For 2024 Youth Vegetable and Fruit Show
Calling all junior gardeners! Registration is open for the 2024 Youth Vegetable and Fruit Show hosted by Hillsborough County Extensions Service.
The show brings together kids and teens, age eight through high school seniors, to show off their school, club garden, home or commercial farm grown fruits, vegetables and herbs for a chance to win cash prizes.
Entries can be submitted as individual, agriculture club member/4-H member or as a group chapter entry. Judging will be based on appearance of the produce, including its size and quality.
The registration deadline is Feb. 23. For more information visit HCFL.gov/Extension.
