“The best ever!” … the Oratory contest was AMAZING.” These are some of the comments made by veterans and newcomers about VSHL’s educational outreach to juniors and seniors in high school, the Alex and Geline Williams Pro-Life Oratory Contest.

The annual pro-life speech competition, held this year on April 24th in Richmond, was named after two of VSHL’s charter members, Alex and Geline Williams of Richmond. Alex and Geline were among the founders of the Virginia Society for Human Life, the nation’s .first statewide pro-life organization. Alex was VSHL’s first president, serving in that capacity from 1967 to 1973. He remained a member and staunch supporter of the Virginia Society for Human Life for the remainder of his life. Geline represents VSHL at the National Right to Life Committee and serves as chairman of its board of directors, a position she has held for many years. Both Alex and Geline knew the importance of VSHL’s commitment to educate people about protecting innocent human life and worked hard for VSHL’s educational efforts, especially the oratory contest.

The contest was held at the North Park Branch Library in the Richmond area. The twelve high school juniors and seniors who qualified at their local competitions came from private, public and home schools. Their speeches covered abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and stem cell research and reflected serious research, up-to-date facts and, occasionally, personal anecdotes.

The three oratory contest judges gave of their time and talents to support this effort to encourage young people to investigate and speak out on pro-life issues. Robert Rice, a pro-life Richmond area lawyer, has often served as a judge for the contest. Mrs. Elizabeth Kosteski, R.N. is a hospital practice nurse with 20 years experience in Critical Care. She serves as a volunteer at VSHL’s booth at the Virginia State Fair and attends the Virginia General Assembly hearings on legislation supported by VSHL. The third judge, Brian Mazanec, attends the University of Richmond and is a founding member of the university’s pro-life organization Spiders for Life.

Mr. Mazanec served as an intern at VSHL in 2003 and will be interning with the National Right to Life Committee this summer.

After the contest, Mr. Rice initiated a brief session to discuss highlights of the speeches and deliveries by the contestants. The judges and contestants participated with comments and questions. As an afterward, one of the judges commented that “It bodes well for the future to get these kind of individuals involved at whatever college they end up attending!” “…it was hard to pick a winner with so many stellar candidates!”

The first place winner, Irene Xenos, is a senior at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington. Irene won $500 and was scheduled to represent VSHL at the Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest at the National Right to Life Convention on July 3, 2004. However, Ms. Xenos will be unable to compete. In her place will be second place winner, Alyce Loeser, a home-schooled senior from Rice, Virginia. Alyce won $250 and will represent VSHL at the national oratory contest, where the first place winner will receive $1,000, the second place winner $750, the third place winner $500 and the fourth place winner $250. Ms. Loeser will have the opportunity to attend either the National Right to Life Convention or the National Teens for Life Convention that run concurrently.

The contest also was an opportunity for VSHL members to renew acquaintances. Cynda Carlton, of the Peninsula Chapter assisted as timekeeper. Elizabeth Harrison of Winchester served as contest photographer, and Maggie Disney and Lisa McNerney from the Richmond area served refreshments. These individuals, as well as Mary Lou Wentzel of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington and Anne Carroll of Seton High School in Manassas, were instrumental in arranging local contests.

The contest coordinator, Maureen Whalen, is pleased that several of the juniors who participated in the contest are planning to compete again next year. She invites all eligible students to consider participating in next year’s contest. Information will be available in early December for the Spring 2005 oratory contest.

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, June 2004