Speech contest first place winner is Kerrigan Hall from Lutheran West High School, who will compete at the Rotary District 6630 Speech Contest on April 2 in Aurora.

Also honored were Elizabeth Pearlman, second place, Lakewood; Steven Webber, third place, Lutheran West; and Breanna Redden, fourth place, Magnificat.

Speech contest semi-finals were March 14 at the Beck Center and the finals were at the Rotary club’s March 21 meeting. Speeches must be of original content and be based on “The Four-Way Test of Rotary” which asks, “Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it build goodwill and better friendships, and Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

This is the 71st year for the club’s speech competition.

Music contest first place winner is Abraham Roos, bass/baritone, Lakewood, performing “Come Ye Blessed” by Scott. Evan Levis, Lakewood, baritone horn, placed second, performing “Arise, Ye Subterranean Winds” by Purcell. Alex Figueroa, Lakewood, placed third, playing “Concerto for Violin in D” by Stamitz.

The music competition, which follows the judging standards set by the Ohio Music Education Association, was held on March 19.

Visual arts winners were Samantha Moran, “Blue Portrait Study,” mixed media, Rocky River, first place; Max Peralta, “Looking through the Shadows,” watercolor, St. Edward, second place; Emily Farr, “Perform,” pencil, Rocky River, third place.

Honorable mentions went to Jared Boosinger, St. Edward; Isane-lee Caraballo, Lakewood; and Owen Smith, Lakewood.

Over 75 pieces, of numerous styles employing various media, were submitted by all five schools. A jury of artists selected outstanding works of art that met the contest requirements. From this gallery, judges chose the award winners.

Selected entries from the visual arts contest are on display in the Rotary Student Art Show in the Jean Bulicek Galleria at the Beck Center now through April 17. This exhibit is free and open to the public during regular gallery hours.

“This annual event is a wonderful way to acknowledge the talents of our youth,” stated Ed Gallagher, Beck Center director of education, “and the quality work of the participants truly shows that the arts and creativity are alive and well in our community.” This is the twelfth year that the Beck Center has collaborated with the Rotary club for this competition.

All winners received congratulations and prize money from Lynn Donaldson, Rotary club president. “Our club has a long history of recognizing, encouraging and supporting the youth of our community in many areas of endeavor,” he told the audience. “We celebrate each participant’s talent, hard work and persistence.”

Support for the event was provided by FFL Investments Services at First Federal of Lakewood.