Recent SHS Student Graduate, Cordell Vrbka selected Runner-up at Recent Zoom State Optimist Speech Contest
SHS recent graduate, Cordell Vrbka of Malcolm, was selected the First Runner-up at the recent Nebraska District (State Level) Optimist Speech/Oratorical Contest held in a Zoom Contest on Saturday June 6th, replacing the traditional formatted contest scheduled at the Seward Civic Center on May 2nd, due to the recent Corona-19 Virus. Cordell was presented a certificate, and a $1500.00 scholarship from Optimist International for his efforts and presentation. Each of the contestants received a certificate of appreciation for their participation.
The contest winners for 2020 included First Place-Brooklynn Schmidt, sponsored Sioux City South Optimist Club, Cordell Vrbka, Seward High, sponsored by Lincoln West Optimist Club/ and honored by Seward Optimist Club and Mickael Halverstadt sponsored by the Fairbury Optimist Club. Other state finalists from Seward High include Kylie Edgington and Alex Sick, both new SHS Seniors, who were officially sponsored by the Seward Optimist Club .
Seward High had three state qualifiers in the annual Nebraska Optimist Speech contest on Saturday, at the Zoom speech competition. The state qualifiers include Cordell Vrbka-SHS Senior and Alex Sick and Kylie Edgington, both SHS Juniors. They were each asked to present a four to five minute speech on the topic “Is Optimism the Key to Achieving the Dreams you iMagine?”
On the state Optimist Speech Contest level, First Prize Scholarship is $2500, Second Place is $1500 and Third Place is $1000 with Fourth and Fifth place awards in lesser amounts. The scholarships are sponsored by the Optimist International Foundation and the Nebraska Optimist District. Jon Conyers is state chair of the Optimist Oratorical Contest. Each student will also receive a State Qualifier certificate.
The student with the highest score advances to the Regional Competition with five District Winners of $5000 each in scholarships and then each regional winner advances to the World Championship for a $15,000 scholarship. Cordell will replace South Souix City’s Brooklynn Schmidt if she is unable to compete.
Judges for the state contest using Zoom technology included Judi Harper of Grand Island, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Fair Education Division, Stephanie Shearer of Central City High School, English Teacher and Head Coach for One Act Play and Speech at CCHS, and Nancy Schulz-recently retired English Teacher and Head Speech Coach at East Butler High School.
Cordell Vrbka is the son of John and Becky Vrbka of Malcolm and he plans to attend the University of Nebraska this fall and study Pre-Veterinarian Science and was awarded a Regents Scholarship. Alex Sick is the daughter of Erik and Jeanna Sick, and Kylie Edgington is the daughter of Joe and Staci Edgington.
The SHS speech coach/sponsor at SHS is Mrs. Erica Crouch. Clark Kolterman, serves as the Oratorical Chair for the Seward Optimist Club. Jon Conyers served as the State Optimist Oratorical Chairman.