Sherborn Lions Club - Youth Speech Competition

About the Competition

The Sherborn Lions Club is pleased to participate in the 2026–2027 Massachusetts Lions Youth Speech Competition, a statewide program that gives high school students the opportunity to develop their public-speaking skills and share their ideas on a designated topic.

Our journey begins right here in Sherborn.

Sherborn Lions Club Level Competition

Tuesday, November 18, 2026 (Speech may be read directly from manuscript at this level)
5:00 PM at the Sherborn 1858 Town House

The Sherborn Lions Club will host its Club Level Youth Speech Competition, the first stage of the Massachusetts Lions Youth Speech Competition. At the club level:

1st Place receives $100 Gift Card and certificate.
2nd place receives a $50 Gift Card and certificate.
3rd place receives $25 Gift Card and certificate.

This Year's Topic

“THE BOOK THAT MOST AFFECTED ME WAS…”

Students are invited to consider a book that has had a meaningful impact on them and develop an original speech around this year's topic.

Eligibility

The competition is open to eligible students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Students may attend public, private or charter school, participate in an independent-study program, be homeschooled, or be foreign-exchange students, provided they meet the eligibility requirements of the Massachusetts Lions Youth Speech Competition.

How the Competition Works

Each student will prepare an original speech of at least five minutes and no more than eight minutes.

At the Club Level Competition, students may use their full manuscript while delivering their speech.

Speeches are evaluated in three areas:

Text — 40 points
Originality, quality of material and adherence to the topic.

Delivery — 30 points
Emphasis, voice control, enunciation, pronunciation, sincerity, enthusiasm and poise.

Effectiveness — 30 points
How well-rounded, cohesive, logical and organized the speech is, as well as its emotional impact.

Where Can It Lead?

The Sherborn Lions Club competition is the starting point.

The student selected to represent the Sherborn Lions Club will advance to the next stage of the Massachusetts Lions Youth Speech Competition. Students who continue to advance move through successive levels:

Club → Zone → Region → District → State

The competition ultimately culminates at the Massachusetts Lions State Convention, where the five District winners compete for the statewide title. The State Champion wins $1,500, and the runners up win $500.

Interested in Competing?

We encourage interested high school students and their families to review the competition information and contact the Sherborn Lions Club to participate in the November 18 Club Level Competition.

Official Competition Information

Complete Massachusetts Lions Youth Speech Competition rules, student information, forms and statewide competition information are available through the official Massachusetts Lions Youth Speech Competition website.