Local high school students honored by Rotarians
By GREG A. COLLINS

Presenting the 4 Way speech contestants Marlana Brittain from Sabine High School, (left) and Katy Trela from Kilgore High School is Rotarian Mike Smith.

Katie Trela, a Kilgore High School senior, was the winner of $100 for being the top speaker in the annual Kilgore Rotary Club Four-Way Speech Contest Wednesday at the club meeting.

Narlena Britton, a senior at Sabine High School, was the runner-up. Trela will advance to the Jan. 28 District Four-Way Speech Contest in Clarksville. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Trela of Kilgore.

Each competitor had to take the Rotary Four-Way Test and apply it to everyday life. The Four Way Test are principles that Rotarians try to live by. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And, will it be beneficial of all concerned are credos that Rotarians try to follow in their business and private lives.

Each year, the club sponsors a contest for seniors at Kilgore, Sabine and Leverett's Chapel high schools. The students come to Rotary, present a speech that is timed and involves the theme chosen by the district committee and then local judges select a winner that is then entered in the district competition.

Trela won the competition, but Britton was a close second, according to judges.

“Both of these young ladies were outstanding in their speaking and in their preparation,” Mike Smith, the contest committee chairman for Rotary said.

In other Rotary news, Ricky Ables, the new owner of an office product business in Kilgore, was introduced as a new member of the club. Ables has been in Kilgore since the late fall, and his co-sponsors, Charla Rolph and Pam DeCeault, both say he will make a great Rotarian and community member.

“He is an asset to our business community, our town in general and our Rotary Club,” they said.

The Kilgore Rotary Club is preparing to go to the Midyear Review in several weeks in Hugo, Okla. This is a gathering where clubs report on their progress for goals and objectives halfway through the year. They also hear a report from the district governor on how the district, as a whole, is progressing.

Kilgore Rotary Club members will be putting out flags on President's Day in February and then take a break until Memorial Day in May.