Submitted by Stan Smith

The Bishop Lions Club contacted all 4 local schools and a legion of homeschoolers to get a record 6 students who signed up for the 2023 Lions International MD-4 student speakers contest, with this year’s speech topic:  “Social Media:  Connects Us or Isolates Us?”

Shown above being congratulated for their participation in the recent speech contest are students (l-r) Riley Phillips (runner-up), winner Ashley Fitt, who went on to the zone/region contest level due to her superior presentation, and Isaiah Gonzalez (runner-up).  Handing certificates of appreciation from the Bishop Lions Club are (standing, far right) Bishop Lion Maggie Egan, who coordinated with several school liaison faculty members to promote the contest and achieve the 6 students who originally showed interest in competing. Lion Stan Smith (standing, far left) served as Bishop Lions Club student speaker club level contest chair this year.  Not shown  and not competing for various reasons were Bishop Union High School students Blaise Lemons, Gavin O’Connor and CJ Carrington.  All 6 BUHS students are underclassmen and will be eligible to compete again next year before any reach Senior Class level.

The Bishop Lions would like to thank club level contest Judges Gerald Howard, Bishop Fire Chief Joe Dell, Mary Mae Kilpatrick, and Inyo County District Attorney Tom Hardy.

For information on activities of Lions International and membership in Bishop Lions Club, please contact 2022-2023 club President Barb Smith (760-937-2272).  The local Lions meet at Noon the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the Bishop VFW Hall, 484 Short Street.  Meetings are subject to change and scheduled programs so members of the public interested in attending should check first with President Barb