Shakopee High School junior Tejesh Bhimavarapu and Prior Lake High School junior Christina Laridaen tied for first place. Sanya Pirani, a fourth-grader at Jeffers Pond Elementary School in Prior Lake was the second place winner.

The winners will present their speeches at the March 23 Optimist Club meeting. Club level winners receive medallions and cash prizes ($75 for first and $50 for second). The first-place winners will go on to compete at the zone level. The winners from the zone level go on to compete at the district contest for an opportunity to win a $2,500 scholarship.