Addison Horn, a senior at Placer High School in Auburn, won first place and $1,500 in a statewide speech contest that was judged on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Every year, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) invites all high school students to practice public speaking in contests held by local AAUW branches. The first-place winner of each branch goes on to compete in the statewide contest. Reached by telephone about the news of her statewide win, Addison said, “I’m shocked and thrilled! I had so much fun getting ready for the contest, and my Future Farmers of America (FFA) adviser, Haylee Kidd, kept telling me that I could do it!”
Membership in FAA includes extensive leadership training, in addition to agricultural studies. “Mrs. Kidd takes us to lots of extra-curricular opportunities, conferences, and competition events that offer public speaking practice,” explained Addison. “She is that teacher who is always there for me and for the other students in FFA.”
Addison won First Place in the Auburn Chapter AAUW contest that was held on February 25 of this year, earning her $500. Annabel Easton, also of Placer High School, was the second-place winner, and she received a check for $300. Aubree Garcia of Del Oro High School was the third-place winner, and she received a check for $200.
The goal of Speech Trek is to encourage young people to do thoughtful research, to organize their ideas logically, and to speak persuasively. This speaking contest, initiated by the California governing organization of AAUW, is open to all California high school students, including public schools, private schools, and homeschools.
The topic for this year’s competition was: How can we ensure a robust public-school curriculum that is accessible to all and teaches historically accurate information? A video of Addison’s speech can be found HERE.
AAUW is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that was launched in 1881 to encourage women to get a college education and to fight for women’s suffrage. With those major goals achieved, AAUW has evolved to work for economic security for all women; equal access to quality public education; social and racial justice for all; and increased representation of women in leadership.
Auburn’s AAUW chapter, which celebrates its 75th Jubilee this year, has awarded college scholarships to local high school graduates every year for 75 years. Scholarships are awarded to high school graduates, students transferring from a community college to a four-year college, and to women who are re-entering college later in life. Thanks to generous donors, AAUW has significantly expanded the scholarships over the years.
AAUW Auburn also raises money for rising 8th grade girls to attend a STEM summer camp at U.C. Davis, and this program is called Tech Trek. Girls get an opportunity to live in a college dorm for a week, to work on science projects, to attend science seminars, and to interact with prominent women in STEM careers.
In addition to scholarship programs, AAUW monitors pending legislation and advocates for laws that support women, girls, and families.
Press release, April 27, 2024, submitted by the AAUW Auburn Branch.