Muskogee, OK—February 23, 2011 —  After competing at their school, three finalists presented speeches to Muskogee Rotary members for an opportunity to win cash and the chance to compete at the Rotary District level against students from four states. In this annual competition, local students use the Rotary Four-Way Test to illustrate its value in addressing contemporary issues such as bullying and demonstrating to the giver and receiver about caring for others.

Carl Cordero, Lindsay Sholes and Destony Brooks, all students at Muskogee High School, presented their original speeches to members at Muskogee Rotary Club’s noon meeting on Thursday, Feb. 17.  Destony, a freshman at MHS who was born and raised in Muskogee, took third place.  Lindsay, a MHS junior who plans to be a physical therapist, took second place.  Carl Cordero, a senior at MHS who came to Muskogee at the age 9 from the Philippines and plans to become a nurse, took first place and will advance to the Rotary District competition.

PHOTO: From left to right: Lindsay Sholes, Carl Cordero, and Destony Brooks competed in the Muskogee Rotary’s annual 4-Way Speech Contest.  Rotarian D.J. Thompson, at far right, organized the contest.