Ellen Wittman Wins 2016 Ohio Right to Life Oratory Contest
Pro-life Students Compete for Top Place in Columbus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Katherine Franklin
DATE: Monday, May 2, 2016 PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Saturday, Ohio Right to Life hosted its 2016 Oratory Contest for pro-life high school students at the Tree of Life Christian Schools Ministry Center in Upper Arlington. Ellen (“Ellie”) Wittman, a senior at Immaculate Conception Academy in Cincinnati, won first place with her speech on heroic women who act extraordinarily to save children’s lives.
“Ellie speaks with both a maturity and a compassion that is deeply reflective of the thoughtful and caring spirit of the pro-life generation,” said Katie Franklin, director of communications at Ohio Right to Life. “This year’s slate of outstanding pro-life students represent of a much larger generation of pro-life advocates who are seeking to make a difference in their communities, in Ohio and across the nation. Their courage and their aptitude for making coherent, thought-provoking arguments should embolden us all to speak up for human life.”
For the contest, high school juniors and seniors from across the state, each of whom won their local pro-life oratory contest, wrote and presented an original speech on a pro-life topic. Erin Gaerke, a senior at Russia High School and the winner of Shelby County Right to Life’s local contest, won second place with her speech reflecting on how history will remember us for how we stand on the right to life. Curt Stambaugh of Wayne-Holmes Right to Life won third place with his speech on the guiding principle of the right to life.
“The pro-life movement often says that our generation will be the generation that ends abortion,” said Franklin. “Listening to any one of these speakers, you would believe that to be true. Ohio Right to Life urges all students to continue to speak out against all acts that harm the dignity of the human person, whether it be abortion, euthanasia, or human trafficking. By leading a pro-life student club, volunteering at a pregnancy center, or working with your local Ohio Right to Life affiliate, you are not only tomorrow’s pro-life leaders – you are today’s pro-life leaders.”
As the winner of the state competition, Ellen will receive a paid trip to compete in the Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest to be held during the National Right to Life Convention in Herndon, VA this July.
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