Millan takes top prize in second stage of Lions speech competition

The junior orator was the only competitor in the field, but takes home $150 and moves onto the third stage of the annual Lions Club event

Karen+Millan+receives+her+prize+winnings+from+Carroll+Ann+Zacher%2C+President+of+the+Rialto+chapter+of+the+Lions+Club.

J. Dollins

Karen Millan receives her prize winnings from Carroll Ann Zacher, President of the Rialto chapter of the Lions Club.

Colton, CA—After winning the Lions Club local chapter competition at the Chamber of Commerce on February 23, Karen Millan continued her winning ways by taking the top prize at the Lion’s Club zone competition. Held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, the event earned Millan $150, bringing her total winnings to $250.

Millan won again with her speech focused on the topic “Social Media: Connects Us or Isolates Us.”

This time around, however, she had no competition. The zone competition featured winners from Lions Club chapters in South Citrus Zone A, including Bloomington, Colton, Fontana Breakfast, Highland, North Fontana Centennial, Rialto Host, and Rialto Breakfast Lions Clubs. Students had been expected from Rialto and Bloomington High Schools, but none appeared for the event.

“It was definitely a surreal situation.” Karen said about the experience of being the lone competitor.

Millan may have won by default, but she received experience as well as support from the local audience that now look forward to her advancing to the regional stage of the competition next month, where she will have the opportunity to double her winnings by taking home the top prize of $250.

The next regional competition will be held at the Jurupa Valley Lions Club on April 13th at 6 p.m.