Allison Whale Wins Women's Leadership Committee Speech Contest

(Seven finalists wait to deliver their speeches at the Idaho Women's Leadership speech contest in Boise. Steve Ritter, photo)

(BOISE) Kuna High School junior Allison Whale won the 2008 Idaho Women's Leadership Committee Speech Contest at the Comfort Suites Inn in Boise.

Whale gave a compelling speech on the nation's bee mortality crisis. “I didn’t think so much depended on bees and we'd only have bread and water without pollination because all your meat and dairy projects would be gone," she said. "Almost all fibers would disappear too, it’s scary.”

The contestants competed at the county level, then qualified from five districts to reach the state championship. The finalists then delivered a minimum five-minute speech to a panel of three judges. Nervous families packed the room and each speech addressed a different segement of Idaho agriculture.

"Every year my mind is blown away from the facts and topics they've researched, its amazing and it's is one of my favorite programs,” said Women's Chairman Carol Guthrie of Inkom. “I think it builds character, it builds awareness of agriculture and that’s what we are all about."

Whale accepted a check for $150 the other finalists pocketed $75 in the annual contest.

"These kids are just phenomenal, they research their speeches, they learn about them, and it’s a growing experience for them and us," added Guthrie.