Osa Aihie Of San Leandro High Is Top Rotary Orator

San Leandro High School senior Osa Aihie won a speech contest Wednesday night that pitted his oratorical skills against tough competitors from Dublin, Los Gatos and Live Oak.

The competition was sponsored by Rotary Clubs throughout the greater Bay Area came and with a $1,000 prize.

Each contestant had to make a four to five minute speech on the same topic: how to reach within to embrace humanity.

Crow said Aihie's speech focused on specifics, suggesting that improving humanity started with helping young people whenever and wherever possible.

Aihie was an underdog heading into this final round in a series of elimination contests, Crow said, because the competitors from the other schools were members of clubs or classes that offered public speaking practice.

San Leandro High lacks such formal training.

But when Patch wrote about Aihie's win at , Crow said local educators and community volunteers hope to bring speech and debate training on campus through the Eden Area Regional Occupation Program.

In addition to Aihie, four other contestants from San Leandro High originally sought the Rotary speaking prize. They are: Quinn La, River McCaine, Angelica Guiao and Erika Bell.

But it was Aihie who went all the way. All of the local contestants were mentored by Crow and fellow Rotarian Bonnie Best.

In addition to the $1,000 prize for Wednesday's speech, Crow said Aihie won a total of $600 from his wins at the qualifying rounds.

"His mom said it would go to his college fund," Crow said.

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