Winners of Rotary’s Four-Way Speech Contest, and the music and visual arts competitions, were honored at a gala event at the Beck Center on April 11.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lakewood and Rocky River, the contest annually showcases the incredible talents of students attending one of five high schools – Lakewood, Lutheran West, Magnificat, Rocky River, and St. Edward.

Lila Wright of Lakewood High School was awarded first place in the Rotary’s annual visual arts contest on April 11 at the Beck Center. Her whimsical piece, “Moose and Duck, caught the judges off-guard in a most delightful way, stating, “The artist composed a beautiful piece, executing her creative idea of a Moose taking a shower with precision and skill with the pencil. At first glance the piece is striking, but upon looking further it continues to delight.”

Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood has been a valued partner of Rotary for this event, serving as the liaison to educators at the high schools and providing the venue and judges for various phases of the competitions.

Speech contest first place winner was Alex Hodson, who represented the club at the Rotary district 6630 competition on April 9.

Also honored were Grace Lamparyk, second place; Helen Rocheshe, third place; and Lydia Kress, honorable mention. All students are from Lakewood High School. Their teacher is Ms. Amy Garritano.

Speeches must be of original content and be based on “The Four-Way Test of Rotary” which asks, “Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it build goodwill and better friendships, and Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

This is the 77th year for the club’s speech competition, and the twenty-fifth year that the Beck Center has collaborated with the Rotary club for this student competition.

Music contest winners were Adam Wilcsewski, piano, first place, St. Edward High School, performing “Sonata No 8, Op 13, Movement 1” by Beethoven; Sophia Craciun, oboe, second place, Lakewood High School, “Oboe Concerto, Movement 3” by Martino; Max Morscher, trombone, third place, St. Edward High School, “Hasse Suite” by Johann Adolf Hasse; and Morgan Way, piano, honorable mention, Rocky River High School, “Impromptu in A flat Major, Op 90, No 4” by Schubert.

Visual arts winners were Lila Wright, “Moose and Duck,” pencil drawing, Lakewood High School, first place; Grace Hoppel, “Going Up,” photography, Lakewood, second place; and Audrey Slankard, “Still Life,” colored pencil, Rocky River, third place. Honorable mentions went to Alexa Colburn, Lakewood; Billy Hamilton, Lakewood; and Lexi Miles, Lutheran West.

Over 140 art pieces of various styles and media were submitted. A jury of visual arts educators selected outstanding works that met the contest requirements. From this gallery, the judges chose the award winners. The art exhibition is viewable in the Jean Bulicek Galleria.

In recognition of their achievements, all winners received a cash prize from Rotary, made possible by the Lakewood-Rocky River Rotary Foundation.