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Community Corner

High School Oratory Contest

Once again the Right to Life of Michigan Downriver affiliates under the leadership of Pam Munroe sponsored the Pro-life High School Oratory Contest.  Four of this year’s contestants are home-schooled, while the winner, David Shaft, is a junior at Romulus High School.  Three students spoke on the topic of abortion.  Speeches were 5-7 minutes in length with the first place speech given on the topic of euthanasia.  David pointed out that there is no mercy in the so-called mercy killing of euthanasia.  He emphasized that it is wrong to play God and that it is “out of control” in the Netherlands where the elderly often feel obligated to their families to end their lives prematurely.

Second place winner Joseph Hornbeck was passionate about opposing embryonic stem cell research because it destroys a developing human baby.  Nicholas' third place speech pointed out that after an abortion, most relationships “fall apart.” 

Kristen Hornbeck looked for the root cause of teen pregnancies that result in many abortions.  Recognizing social pressures from Hollywood, media and the fashion industry and the pressure on girls is to be “sexy,” she said, “we all know what that leads to.”  Her conclusion was that as pro-life Christians we must be missionaries and “not only do we need to be an example of purity and self-respect but we need to teach young men and women how to dress and act in a way that respects themselves. And most importantly, we need to teach them the way that God planned for them to grow up. If we can do THIS, hopefully the choice of life or death for an innocent baby wouldn’t have to be made.”

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The contest was sponsored by Right to Life of Michigan affiliates from Upper Downriver, Southern Downriver, Central Wayne County, and Dearborn.  Judges were David Kostelnik, Tom O’Neil, William Bloomfield, and Richard Evich.  Prizes awarded were $125 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.  The winner advances to the state competition in May.

All of the contestants are invited to give their speech again at the picnic following the Life Walk on May 3 at Bishop Park in Wyandotte.

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Photo attached.  The high school pro-life oratory contestants sporting their new “Choose Life” caps are (left to right) Joseph Hornbeck (2nd place), Nicholas Boettcher (3rd place), Kristen Hornbeck, Paul Hornbeck,  David Shaft (winner).


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