Riverdale High student earns top honors at Kings Lions' Speech Contest Wednesday

Taking the top prize with her treatise “Is the threat to privacy a threat to our national security,” was Riverdale High School’s Laila Roltin, who took about 10 minutes making her argument before about 50 Lions’ Club members, including dignitaries from other local clubs.

Wednesday’s event was the 80th Annual Lions’ Speech Contest according to former Lions’ Club President Jeff Garcia, who was Wednesday night’s coordinator.

Roltin, 17, a Riverdale High junior, plans on getting involved in agriculture following graduation. She earned a $250 scholarship for her effort. She will deliver her speech to the District Speech Contest in Morro Bay on April 22 where a $4,500 scholarship awaits.

There is a potential, with additional competitions through the final event, to earn upwards of $21,250 in scholarships if she does well.