On April 30, West Genesee High School sophomore Elena Pacheco placed first in the New Hartford District contest for the Optimist International Oratory Contest.

She will be competing at the Optimist International World Competition taking place at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri on July 21-22.

This year’s theme is “Staying Optimistic in Difficult Times”.

Previously, on February 15, six students from West Genesee High School delivered speeches on “Staying Optimistic in Difficult Times” to members of the Camillus Optimist Club.

The Optimists chose Pacheco to represent them at the District competition.

Other high school attendees included: Sienna Baron, Janaya Jones, James Manard, Lia Rice and Alyssa Winters.

English teacher Suzanne Ostrander coordinated the competition for high school students which took place via zoom.

The judges from Toastmasters International shared “they were ‘blown away’ by the level of speaking ability of the students. They are a talented group year after year”.

The students and school district thanked the Camillus Optimists for sponsoring this event each year and Rosanna Giampaolo for coordinating this event.