Local Teens Speak Out for

Culture of Life

Abortion and euthanasia were two topics students spoke out against at the Culture of Life Speech Contest. The winners are, from left, Julianna Fricchione, St. Agnes; Stephanie Cipolla, St. Francis Prep; Quicil Goncalves, St. John’s Prep; Natalie Nyame, St. John’s Prep; Ashley Anglade, Bishop Kearney; Kathleen Dunn, Fontbonne; Vanessa Barris, Fontbonne; Aimee Gioia, Fontbonne; Jessica Noisette, St. John’s Prep; Valerie Dorcelus, St. John’s Prep, and Jessica Manohar, TMLA.

Fontbonne Hall girls garnered top honors at the annual Brooklyn-Queens Regional “Culture of Life” Speech Competition, held March 25 at Mary’s Nativity, Flushing.

Contestants and audience members were greeted in the parish center with opening remarks from Father James Rooney, pastor, who spoke of the importance of Catholic youth in shaping the conscience of our society and the need for people of faith to work together to end the evils of abortion, euthanasia and embryonic stem-cell experimentation, which were the principal topics addressed by the student speakers.

Catholic high schools represented at the contest included: Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge; St. John’s Prep H.S., Astoria; Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst; St. Agnes Academic H.S., College Point; St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows; and The Mary Louis Academy, Jamaica Estates.

Eleven students had the opportunity to present their speeches and were judged by a panel of pro-life proponents to determine who would receive more than $1,200 in prizes and various awards.

Fontbonne senior Kathleen Dunn’s speech, “The Answer is No” about euthanasia, earned her first place and $400. She will represent Brooklyn in the New York State Right to Life State Championship, which will be held in Albany in May.

Close on her heels was Fontbonne junior Vanessa Barris, who secured second place and $200 with her speech, “Murder is Murder,” regarding abortion.

Bishop Kearney sophomore Ashley Anglade won third place and $100 for her speech, “If Abortion Isn’t Wrong, Nothing Is.”

In addition to the top prizes, some students won Awards for Excellence, which were in recognition of specific aspects of their speeches, such as creativity, reasoning, presentation or research.

Professor Florence Maloney, Ed.D., one of the judges representing the Joint Parish Respect Life Committee, said, “the high quality of the speeches was truly impressive. It was obvious that all the students put a lot hard work and effort into preparing for the competition.”
Elizabeth Jane Doocey, a lifelong educator, who now teaches at the university level, said, “Their speeches were excellent, the level of quality was outstanding.”

Judges Mary Cervini and James Jagiello agreed, noting also that the teachers who helped students prepare for the contest deserved recognition.

Teachers who attended the competition included Joan Cargulia of Fontbonne, Bishop Kearney’s Madeline Santangelo-Palumbo and Patricia Gregorek, and Christine Curcio of St. John’s Prep.

When Cargulia heard that her girls earned the top two slots, she was “thrilled. They’re a wonderful group of girls. They’re very interested in the Culture of Life contest. It’s a good area for them to explore.”

“We took first and second last year too,” added Cargulia, former president of the Brooklyn-Queens Catholic Forensic League, who has been coaching Fontbonne’s speech team on a volunteer basis for the past two years.

“Everyone agreed that all of the contestants were fantastic. Their speeches were so powerful, with each one, in their own way, giving voice to a wonderful message and love and hope — of a world where all human life is treated with respect, love and compassion,” said Marilyn Santos, adolescent faith formation coordinator in the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.

Knight of Columbus Jim McCloskey coordinated the competition. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court of Mary’s Nativity, served as hosts, provided refreshments and assisted with the event. Other sponsors and financial supporters included retired Bishop Thomas V. Daily, the diocesan Faith Formation Office, the Knights of Columbus Monsignor Dillon Council #5872, the Joint Parish Respect Life Committee, the Brooklyn Right to Life and Queens County Respect Life.

Youth Views

Those who are different change the world and those who are the same keep it that way. How do you make a difference in the world?

Michael Hatzidakis Holy Cross H.S. Junior I feel that I make a change in the world when I tutor for the National Honor Society. I feel this service is a privilege that I am honored to perform. I feel that I am contributing to the success of that individual and our society.	Francesco Vaccaro Holy Cross H.S. Freshman The difference that I make is that I forgive people instead of holding a grudge. When you hold a grudge, it eats away at you and all you think about is that person.

Derek Lamacchia Holy Cross H.S. Sophomore I am always helping my younger sister with her homework. Even if I am making a small impact on the world, I am still positively affecting someone’s life.	Matthew Casbarro Holy Cross H.S. Freshman My sister struggles in math and math is one of my strong points in school so I try to help her.

Sean Donnelly Holy Cross H.S. Junior I try to treat others with respect, the same respect I treat my parents with. I believe deeply that goodness spreads. If you treat one person nicely, that person will treat the next person nicely and the chain will keep going.	Marc Hernandez Holy Cross H.S. Senior I feel like I make a difference just by being myself. I don’t really follow other people because I like being myself. I feel like I am a good influence on those who don’t know who they really are.

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