L’view freshman wins oratorical contest

VW independent/submitted information

LIMA — Calahan Wolfrum, a freshman at Lincolnview High School, was the boys’ winner of the Region II Optimist Club Oratorical Contest, held April 9 at The University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima.

Wolfrum, the Van Wert Optimist Club boys Oratorical Contest winner, competed against local Optimist Club contest winners from Lima Shawnee, New Carlisle, and Xenia. Madison Downing of Lima Shawnee was the girls’ regional winner.

Judges for the competition were Lima-Shawnee Optimist Club members Bob Cupp, member of the Ohio House of Representatives and a former Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court; Mary Marker, administrator of The Henry & Beverly Hawk Heart & Vascular Center at St. Rita’s Medical Center; and Tara Shepherd, Allied Health director at Apollo Career Center.

Wolfrum advances to compete in the district (state) finals in Columbus on May 7, where the boy and girl winners will receive a scholarship valued at $3,500.

The Oratorical Contest is longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International and one of several local programs for young people provided by the Optimist Club of Van Wert. The club meets on Thursdays at noon at Willow Bend Country Club and welcomes new or prospective members.