Davidson County Sophomore Wins 2015 Pro-Life Speech Contest

Robertson County Teen will represent Tennessee at National Contest

"A true feminist would help a pregnant woman in need rather than sending her to the abortion clinic. A true feminist would acknowledge the sanctity of life and do everything in her power to protect it," stated Cameron Sheppard during the recent Tennessee Right to Life Pro-Life Oratory Contest for High School Students.

Pictured Olivia Malham, 2nd Place, Lenore Thorne, 3rd Place,

Gabriel Mitchell, 4th Place and Cameron Sheppard, 1st Place.

This 16th annual event was held at Aquinas College in Nashville on Saturday, May 2, 2015.  Winners from 14 participating chapters across the state qualified to attend by competing against 36 public, private, and home-schooled students in grades 9-12.  Each contestant researched, wrote, and presented an original 5-7 minute pro-life speech on abortion, euthanasia, infanticide or stem-cell research.

A resident of Nashville, Cameron won the Davidson County Right to Life contest and also took home first place from the state contest.  Cameron spoke of the need to offer real alternatives to women in unplanned pregnancies.  "Women who feel stuck and helpless need support, not judgment. They need to know that we care about them and their children."

Other winners in the contest include Olivia Malham, a junior from Robertson County, Lenore Thorne, a freshman from Wilson County and Gabriel Mitchell, a senior from Putnam County.

Due to national contest rules, only upperclassmen are eligible to advance to the National Right to Life Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest.  As a result, Tennessee will be represented by Olivia Malham, winner of the Sumner County contest.  "Women who choose abortion because of [a] painful memory will not find relief in their abortion....."  Olivia stated in effectively carrying her theme to a second place finish.

State contest coordinator Frances Arthur is excited about this year's winners and and sees a bright future for Tennessee's pro-life movement.  "The students from across our state never cease to bring light to this very dark subject. Their speeches were well conceived, written, and presented last Saturday. It is my privilege to be a part of this event and to work with such bright and well informed students."