Tolerance in speech wins

greve092: 2009 Henry Greve Speech Contest

2009 Henry Greve Speech Contest finalists (from left) 1st place — Katelyn Shipp, second place — Seth Wasylyszyn and third place — Amisha Shukla.

When it comes to being tolerant, Katelyn Shipp, from Norris Middle School proved she is heading down the right path — at the very least the path that led to winning the 55th annual Henry Greve Speech Contest March 26 at University Square in Bakersfield. Shipp’s speech heavily focused on not forcing beliefs or opinions on others and allowing everyone to follow their own. It was the judges’ choice as the best interpretation of the contest topic “Why is it Important to be Tolerant?”

Shipp, who failed to get past the school level contest last year, made the ultimate turnaround, surviving challenges at the school, district and regional levels to place first among the 10 most persuasive Kern County seventh and eighth-graders who made it to this year’s final. She received a trophy and a perpetual plaque, bearing her name, which will be displayed at Norris Middle School for one year. Actis Jr. High student Seth Wasylyszyn finished second, and Amisha Shukla from Warren Jr. High was third. Each had to write and deliver an original four to seven-minute speech.

Shipp talked of how in a free society which observes religious tolerance she could go to a mall, restaurant or movie “with hundreds of people who do not attend my church or share my religious views.” Shipp pointed out that although flag burning and protesting may not be accepted behavior to some, a tolerant society defends a person’s right of expression. And she ended by saying that tolerance even extended to others allowing the expression of her opinions.

Wasylyszyn’s speech urged an appreciation of diversity. He said “fear” was one of the big contributors to intolerance. “Fear can cause you to take hostile action, and fear can cause you to be intolerant of others,” Wasylyszyn said.

Convincing, too, was the speech of Shukla who said, “I am not just satisfied with writing a speech about tolerance, I will work toward spreading it. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin tonight.”

Though the competition, sponsored by both Bakersfield Toastmasters Club #270 and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, has been around since 1955, it was named the Henry Greve Speech Contest in1963 by the Toastmasters in memory of county speech therapist Henry Greve. Greve actively supported boys and girls oral language activities.

2009 Henry Greve Speech Contest Participants (not by order of finish) Andrea Behill — Chipman Junior High, Sahar Forouzanfar — Chipman Junior High, Justice Lucero, Greenfield Middle — Balentin Lugo, Almond Tree Middle, Breana Martinez — Chipman Junior High, Victoria McGowan — Fruitvale Junior High, Maneli Ortiz — Sunset School, Amisha Shukla — Earl Warren Junior High, Seth Wasylyszyn — O.J. Actis Junior High and Katelyn Shipp — Norris Middle


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