Erica Nicole Dyer of Chesapeake won first place in the VSHL Oratory Contest held on April 26, 2003. By doing so, the home-schooled student earned the right to represent Virginia at the annual Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest to be held during the National Right to Life Convention in St. Louis, MO on July 3 – 5, 2003. Abram Rose, a student at the Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, took second place.

“We are very proud of Erica and of all the participants in this year’s oratory contest,” said VSHL President Brenda Fastabend. “The students did a wonderful job and we are looking forward to having Virginia so ably represented at the national contest in July.”

The ten eligible high school juniors and seniors who participated in the VSHL Oratory Contest had to write an original speech on abortion, infanticide or euthanasia that was five to seven minutes in length. Students were encouraged to use up-to-date factual information in the construction of their speeches. Judges included Catherine V. Driscoll, VSHL Vice President and PAC Chairman, and a former teacher; Moureen Bruno, a science teacher for the Norfolk Public School System, a pro-life speaker and a long-time member of VSHL; and Ellen Woodruff, PhD., Vice President of the Richmond Consulting Group and a VSHL member.

Miss Dyer received a check for $500 for winning the contest. In addition to competing in St. Louis, she will have the opportunity to attend either the National Right to Life Convention or the National Teens for Life Convention that run concurrently. The first place winner of the national contest will receive $1,000, second place receives $750, third place $500 and fourth place $250.

“All of the students did well, and the scores were quite close,” said Maureen Whalen, VSHL contest coordinator. “We congratulate the winners and look forward to next year’s competition.”

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, June 2003