Stephen Langley, Heidi Mainey, Caitlan Connolley, Bethany Hichens and Lucy McLeod from Muswellbrook High School were this year’s contestants who competed at the quest held at Muswellbrook Workers Club.

The Youth of the Year Quest is an annual competition held by Lions Clubs all over the country.

The aim of the quest is to foster, encourage and develop leadership and citizenship skills in the youth of today and provide the opportunity for young people to meet each other and openly discuss local and global issues.

This year’s contestants performed under a judging panel including Muswellbrook Chronicle advertising manager Lavinia Hutchison, Chapman Consulting Group

managing director Matthew Chapman and NAB business manager Ian Spicer.

Each contestant presented a five minute prepared speech to the crowd of more than 50 people and were asked to answer two impromptu questions.

The overall winner of the quest was Caitlan Connolley and the winner of the public speaking section was Stephen Langley.

The topic of Caitlan’s prepared speech was self image and the media, in which she spoke about the print media.

The two impromptu questions she was asked were cloud computing, wirefire, iphones – how is this technology changing the way we live today, and what do you think of celebrities having political positions.

Lion Bob Chapman said Caitlan delivered a good speech that was fairly relevant to society.

“All the impromptu questions were answered fairly well by all contestants and they all had their own style,” Mr Chapman said.

“Overall the contestants were of a very high quality and it was a very close competition.

“The winner’s confidence helped her stand out in the end,” he said.

Caitlan will now compete against Muswellbrook Lioness Club winner Jamie Watts, Aberdeen Lions Club winner Phillip Tickle and Scone Lions Club winner Patrick Flanagan in the zone judging in Muswellbrook on Saturday, March 6.

Two of these contestants will then go through to the regional finals, also in Muswellbrook on March 14.