Contests in the following areas will be held at the Lions Club District 2T2 Midwinter Conference on January 16, 2016 in Lubbock:

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1 Lions Club District 2T2 Opportunities for Youth Contests Contests in the following areas will be held at the Lions Club District 2T2 Midwinter Conference on January 16, 2016 in Lubbock: 1. Diabetes Awareness Essay Topic--- New Ways of Thinking to Manage Diabetes 2. Drug Awareness Speech Topic--- The Socioeconomic Effects of Marijuana Decriminalization 3. Outstanding Youth Award Contestants are evaluated on: a. High School Grade Point Average b. A 750 word essay over Volunteerism and Its Importance c. A personal biographical information statement d. Three letters of recommendation e. Performance of community service f. Leadership experience/participation g. A personal interview Awards for the District winners is $1000 and $500 for the runner-up. Winners will advance to the state level competition on May 20-21, 2016 in Midland at the Lions State Convention. Award for the state winner is $3000 and $1000 for the runner-up. The competition is open to all high school juniors and seniors. All applications MUST be postmarked by January 6, 2016 Interested students should contact their local Lions Club to be sponsored and receive further instructions for the contests. If you have any questions about the contest or how to find your local Lions Club, please contact District Lion Governor Dick Van Hoose at or dick@mylbk.com.

2 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS for OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH CONTESTS Students interested in applying to compete in the Opportunities for Youth Contests during the Midwinter Conference on January 16, 2016 should follow these procedures: 1. Google texaslions.org 2. Under PROGRAMS.open the Opportunities for Youth link 3. Open the link to the contest they would like to enter 4. Scroll down to Applications Process and Rules a. Open and fill out the Common Contest Application Form (the form will NOT need the signature of the District Governor) b. Open and fill out the Medical Power of Attorney c. Open and fill out the Code of Conduct Form 5. Obtain a set of local contest rules from your local Lions Club Have all application materials, essays, speeches and other relevant materials postmarked by January 6, Contact Lion Governor Dick Van Hoose at or dick@mylbk.com for contest director mailing information.

3 District 2T2 Opportunities for Youth DIABETIC AWARENESS ESSAY Topic New Ways of Thinking To Manage Diabetes Contest Rules Essay Subject New Ways of Thinking To Manage Diabetes Rather than researching symptomology, history, or psychological, social and emotional issues, contestants will focus instead on recent approaches, which help youth and adults keep their blood sugar and appetite in check. Contestants will investigate and evaluate new research and emerging treatments that provide higher success rates for those who have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Contest Rules The title of the contestant s essay is not required to be the same as the subject for the essay. Contestants should be creative in the selection of an essay title and set the tone for their presentations with the title they choose. The essay should analyze the problem given in the subject and present a solution or solutions to the problem. The topic is broad and allows the contestants considerable leeway in the selection of their solution or solutions. Creative, innovative, practical and reasonable ideas are welcome. Each contestant shall personally research, write and read his/her contest essay. Research for this topic can be conducted by interviewing physicians, nurses, medical professionals, community and organizations, etc., and by using the internet and library. The essay shall be a written article, to be read by the contestant, to be judged by a panel of judges in competition with other contestants. The essay shall not exceed 1500 words. All words in the essay are counted including articles, conjunctives and pronouns. Examples: I, a, the, and, and an. The essay must include a bibliography of alphabetized sources used in its composition. Note: the bibliography is not included in the 1500 word count. The following criteria shall be used for judging the essays:

4 a. Sixty percent (60%) of the score shall be based on the authenticity, current information and an application of the assigned essay topic. b. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the score shall be based on the understandability of the essay through personal presentation techniques, in the use of posture, eye contact and voice by its modulation, volume, speed and clarity. c. Fifteen percent (15%) of the score shall be based on grammar, spelling, sentence structure, pronunciation, enunciation, correct word usage, and relationship to the assigned topic. Video equipment may not be used in contests. Judges should be knowledgeable about the English language, its grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation and correct usage. Order of appearance before the judging panel will be determined in advance at the direction of the District Chair. The contest area must have good acoustics, be free from outside noises and disturbances, and have controlled access. Contestants shall remain outside the contest area until invited to enter by the contest official. The audience will be informed before the first contest to not applaud at the end of the speech and reminded before each contestant delivers his/her speech of the same requirement. The audience will be asked to turn off any cell phones and /or electronic devices during the contest time. Failure to comply with this rule could result n disqualification of a contestant at the discretion of the Contest Official. The winners will be announced during Mid Winter Council Meeting January 16, The 1 st place winner will present his/her speech at that time. Awards The 1 st place winner will win a $1000 scholarship. The 2 nd place winner will win a $500 scholarship. To collect the scholarship award, the contestant must complete the following process: i. Contestant winner or runner-up must complete the Scholarship Request Form along with proof of registration information from a university, college, junior college or vocational school. ii. The information should be sent along with any supplemental information needed by the institution (i.e. scholarship forms, etc) Send request for payment to the District 2T2 Treasurer.

5 iii. Payment will be made directly to the designated school. iv. The scholarship awards must be collected no later than two years following the recipient s graduation from High School. Rules of Eligibility for Contestants: a. Each contestant must be or have been a regularly enrolled student in a public high school or comparable educational program, located in Texas b. Each contestant must be a junior, senior or immediate graduate at the time of the District contest. c. Contestants shall not have been married, had a marriage annulled, cohabited with a person of the opposite sex who is unrelated to the contestant or who has participated in the conception of a child before participation in the District contest. Responsibilities of Contestant a. Each contestant shall be required to submit the following to the District Contest Chair. i. State Contest Application (mandatory to be completed online and copied; no handwritten applications will be accepted). ii. Two 4x6 or 5x7 photographs that are of the head-and shoulders, glossy, color and are high resolution (300 dpi or better). iii. Signed Copy of the Code of Conduct and Chaperone Guidelines iv. Medical Power of Attorney designating his/her Chaperone as the Primary Responsible Party and the District 2T2 Contest Chair as the Secondary Responsible Party. v. A printed copy of the speech.

6 District 2T2 Opportunities for Youth Drug Awareness Speech TOPIC The Socioeconomic Effects of Marijuana Decriminalization Contest Rules 1. Speech Subject a. The Socioeconomic Effects of Marijuana Decriminalization Explore the positive and negative effects that have occurred in communities where marijuana has been decriminalized. Make a case for or against allowing marijuana to be decriminalized in your community based on your findings. You may discuss the medical, culture, legal and economic changes in communities where the laws have been changed in defense of your position. 2. Contest Rules a. The title of the contestant s speech is not required to be the same as the subject for the speech. Contestants should be creative in the selection of a speech title and set the tone for their presentation with the title they choose. b. The presentation should analyze the problem given in the subject and present a solution or solutions to the problem. c. Research for this topic can be conducted by interviewing school officials, teachers, judges, law enforcement personnel, probation personnel, counselors, juvenile court officials, legislators, medical personnel and by using the internet and the library. d. The topic is broad and allows the contestant considerable leeway in the selection of their solution or solutions. e. Sources of data and quotes should be identified by title, author and date published (year if known). f. Creative, innovative, practical, and reasonable ideas are welcome. g. The speech will be from five (5) to seven (7) minutes in length. i. A monitor will signal contestants at five (5) minutes and at six and one half (6.5) minutes. ii. At seven (7) minutes, the monitor will signal and five (5) points will be deducted from the contestant s score. iii. A speech of less than five (5) or more than seven and a half (7.5) minutes will be disqualified. iv. Should a disturbance occur during a speech, the contest monitor will adjust

7 the time accordingly. h. Notes, cue cards and video equipment may not be used. i. All District 2T2 contests shall be conducted in the English language and contestants, during contest presentations, shall speak English. j. Judges should be persons who are knowledgeable of the subject. k. Order of appearance before the judging panel will be determined in advance at the direction of the District Chair. l. The contest area must have good acoustics, be free from outside noises and disturbances, and have controlled access. m. Contestants shall remain outside the contest area until invited to enter by the contest official. n. The audience will be informed before the first contest to not applaud at the end of the speech and reminded before each contestant delivers his/her speech of the same requirement. o. The audience will be asked to turn off any cell phones and /or electronic devices during the contest time. Failure to comply with this rule could result n disqualification of a contestant at the discretion of the Contest Official. p. The winners will be announced during Mid Winter Council Meeting January 16, q. The 1 st place winner will present his/her speech at that time. 3. Awards a. The 1 st place winner will win a $1000 scholarship. b. The 2 nd place winner will win a $500 scholarship. c. To collect the scholarship award, the contestant must complete the following process: i. Contestant winner or runner-up must complete the Scholarship Request Form along with proof of registration information from a university, college, junior college or vocational school. ii. The information should be sent along with any supplemental information needed by the institution (i.e. scholarship forms, etc) Send request for payment to the District 2T2 Treasurer. 4 Payment will be made directly to the designated school. 5. The scholarship awards must be collected no later than two years following the recipient s graduation from High School. 6. Rules of Eligibility for Contestants: a. Each contestant must be or have been a regularly enrolled student in a public high school or comparable educational program, located in Texas.

8 b. Each contestant must be a junior, senior or immediate graduate at the time of the District 2T2 contest. c. Contestants shall not have been married, had a marriage annulled, cohabited with a person of the opposite sex who is unrelated to the contestant or who has participated in the conception of a child before participation in the District 2T2 contest. 4. Responsibilities of Contestant a. Each contestant shall be required to submit the following to the District Contest Chair. i. State Contest Application (mandatory to be completed online and copied; no handwritten applications will be accepted). ii. Two 4x6 or 5x7 photographs that are of the head-and shoulders, glossy, color and are high resolution (300 dpi or better). iii. Signed Copy of the Code of Conduct and Chaperone Guidelines iv. Medical Power of Attorney designating his/her Chaperone as the Primary Responsible Party and the District 2T2 Contest Chair as the Secondary Responsible Party. v. A printed copy of the speech.

9 District 2T2 Opportunities for Youth Outstanding Youth Award Contest Rules 1. Contest Rules a. Contestants shall be evaluated on high school grade point average, a 750 word essay, a personal biographical informational statement, three letters of recommendation, performance of community service, leadership experience/participation and a personal interview. b. The following criteria shall be used for judging the essays: i. Ten percent (10%) 750 word essay Volunteerism and Its Importance Tell why you feel volunteerism is important in a young person s life. Please site specifics to exemplify your statements. ii. Fifteen percent (15%) Grade point average from school transcript. iii. Fifteen percent (15%) (total) Three letters of recommendation. iv. Thirty percent (30%) biographical information statement, community service, experience/participation leadership information. v. Thirty percent (30) Personal interview. c. Judges shall be persons who are knowledgeable about community service and high school level leadership. d. All District 2T2 contests shall be conducted in the English language and contestants, during contest presentations, shall speak English. e. The contest area must have good acoustics, be free from outside noises and disturbance3s, and have controlled access. f. Order of appearance before the judging panel will be determined in advance at the direction of the District 2T2 Chair. g. Contestants shall remain outside the contest area until invited to enter by the Contest Official. h. The audience will be informed before the first contestant to not applaud at the end of the interview and reminded before each contestant interview of the same requirement. i. The audience will be asked to turn off any cell phones and/or electronic devices during the contest time. Failure to comply with this rule could result in disqualification of a contestant at the discretion of the Contest Official. j. Contestants will not give any self-introduction but shall state their name and the interview shall proceed. k. No one will be allowed to either enter or leave the contest area during the contestant s interview process.

10 l. The winners will be announced during the Mid Winter Council Meeting, January 16, m. The 1 st place winner will present his/her acceptance speech at that time. 2. Awards a. The 1 st place winner will win a $1000 scholarship. b. The 2 nd place winner will win a $500 scholarship. c. To collect the scholarship award, the contestant must complete the following process: i. Contestant winner or runner-up must complete the Scholarship Request Form along with proof of registration information from a university, college, junior college or vocational school. ii. The information should be sent along with any supplemental information needed by the institution (i.e. scholarship forms, etc) Send request for payment to the District 2T2 Treasurer. 3. Payment will be made directly to the designated school. 4. The scholarship awards must be collected no later than two years following the recipient s graduation from High School. 5. Rules of Eligibility for Contestants: a. Each contestant must be or have been a regularly enrolled student in a public high school or comparable educational program, located in Texas. b. Each contestant must be a junior, senior or immediate graduate at the time of the District 2T2 contest. c. Contestants shall not have been married, had a marriage annulled, cohabited with a person of the opposite sex who is unrelated to the contestant or who has participated in the conception of a child before participation in the District 2T2 contest. 6. Responsibilities of Contestant a. Each contestant shall be required to submit the following to the District Contest Chair. i. State Contest Application (mandatory to be completed online and copied; no handwritten applications will be accepted). ii. Two 4x6 or 5x7 photographs that are of the head-and shoulders, glossy, color and are high resolution (300 dpi or better). iii. Signed Copy of the Code of Conduct and Chaperone Guidelines

11 iv. Medical Power of Attorney designating his/her Chaperone as the Primary Responsible Party and the District 2T2 Contest Chair as the Secondary Responsible Party. v. 750 word essay Volunteerism and Its Importance vi. Biographical information statement, community service, leadership experience/participation information. vii. Three letters of recommendation viii. Official High School Transcript