Iowa Right to Life 2008 Oratory Contestants:   (Left to Right): Front Row: Samantha Spragg, Trinh Le; Back Row: Micah Howe, Jessica LaFleur, Lizzie Carey, Zach Larson.

 

 

DES MOINES, IA – May 8, 2008 – A Garner teen was given a standing ovation by a sold-out crowd at Iowa Right to Life’s Spring Fling dinner Saturday, May 3, at the Forte Con vention Center in Des Moines, for his speech that took first prize in Iowa Right to Life’s 2008 Oratory Contest.

Micah Howe, 18, received $200 for his first place oratory, Abortion: The Slippery Slope, in the competition, which took place earlier Saturday in Des Moines. The senior from Garner-Hayfield High School said the fact that he is adopted is the inspiration for his pro-life position. In addition, Howe earned a trip to Washington D.C. to represent Iowa in National Right to Life’s Oratory Contest, July 5.

Trinh Le, a senior at North High School in Des Moines was the runner-up in the contest, winning $100; and Lizzie Carey, a home-schooler from West Des Moines, won third prize, $50.

Contestants in the Iowa Right to Life Oratory Contest were to research, write and present an original, 5-7 minute, pro-life speech on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia or stem cell research.  Contestants were judged on four criteria: Introduction, Content, Presentation and Conclusion. Iowa Right to Life plans to make the Oratory Contest an annual event.

Howe will attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in the fall. He is currently a volunteer ministry assistant at Garner Evangelical Free Church and enjoys golf, reading, writing and preaching at churches and youth groups.