Each year the Winthrop Middle School participates in the Modern Woodmen Speech Contest. “An Interesting Landmark” was this year’s topic. Students were asked to tell the story of one local, national or worldwide landmark. They could include national parks, capitol buildings, homes of famous people, museums, prominent buildings of business or industry, or even important sports arenas, according to a news release from the school. The speech had to be three to five minutes long and in their own words.

This year 19 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students were chosen to present their speeches to an audience of peers, family member and teachers in the middle school’s library. Out of those 19, three were chosen as the top contenders. First place was awarded to eighth-grader Julia Tague-LaCrone for her speech about the Berlin Wall; second place was awarded to seventh-grader Samantha Allen for her speech on the Boston Marathon finish line; and third place was awarded to seventh-grader Natalie Frost for her speech on the Roman Colosseum. Each of these students will be given a certificate and a plaque for their achievements. From this local level, one of these finalists will move on to the district contest held locally.

Winners, from left, are Julia Tague-LaCrone, Samantha Allen and Natalie Frost.