After months of preparation the Final’s day dawned. There were four Candidates sponsored by Clubs throughout the District, each young person worthy of success, but there could be only one winner.
The District Final was held at St John’s Hotel Solihull on Sunday 24th November 2013. Each candidate had prepared for their interview and had worked hard with their sponsors to get their technique just right.
The four candidates were Lydia Thomas sponsored by Shakespeare Lions; Abigail Lake sponsored by Shirley Lions; Grace Devenport sponsored by Marston Green Lions and Sean Taylor sponsored by Castle Bromwich Lions. Each candidate was accompanied by family members and members of their Lion’s Club.
They were interviewed by three experienced judges - Chris Parry a Head of Sixth Form at a local Secondary School; Pauline Lees a Senior Officer within Scouting and Mike Kendall a Managing Director of a Broadband IT Company supplying Schools within the East Midlands, all of the judges had previously been in Education and had judged the competition before.
Upon arrival the Candidates drew lots to see in which order they would be interviewed with Grace being drawn to go first, Abigail, Lydia and finally Sean.
Each had to do a three minute presentation about themselves and their project; they then faced twenty minutes of questions from the judges. As the organiser of the event I was very relieved that all went to time. At the end of the interviews, Members of the Cabinet were invited in to hear the four young people give their three minute presentation to the audience, it was very inspiring.
Following a well earned lunch the presentations were made by District Governor Simon to the winner, who was the unanimous choice of Abigail Lake, sponsored by Shirley Lions Club.
Abigail is 17 years old, and attends King Edward VI for Girls, she is studying her ‘A’ levels at present and wants to become a doctor. She is in the ATC and is a Flight Sergeant Second in Command, she was voted the best NCO in 2012, she is in charge of the drills, marching and parades.
She is an active fund raiser for the ATC and has both the Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
As well as all that she joined SoLO and saw this as a way to make a difference to disabled young people. She assists with Swimming South a leisure opportunity for young people aged between 7 and 17 with disabilities. Supervising and joining in the activities.
She has also represented Birmingham and Warwickshire in netball, swimming and hockey.
So as you can see a very busy young lady. I am sure she will represent our District brilliantly in the MD Final in February 2014 in Dudley. All Lions are invited to attend the Award Ceremony on Sunday the 23rd February 2014.
For further information about the Young Ambassador Competition and how your club can get involved contact me – Cath Kendall Young Ambassador District Officer.