PLEADING a case for youth as contributing members of society able to help lead Australia out of recession has won the Lions Youth of the Year Quest for Iona Presentation College Year 12 student Meredith Cully.
An article claiming baby boomers would survive the economic crisis, generation-Y relying upon them to lead the way as their world was thrown into chaos, inspired her five-minute speech.
“So I talked about perceptions, challenging that idea as we are more resilient and resourceful than people think,” the 16-year-old said.
“I also spoke about community service and the hope within the youth of today, and how this will help us.”
The judging panel then gave the state finalists two impromptu topics to speak on for two minutes each, in her case, whether the Federal economic stimulus package was a good idea and the role of reality television in society.
The earnest public speaker will again deliver her speech when she represents WA in the national finals, in Melbourne on May 1.