When I was young and in high school and college I always sat in the back of the room. When I was in law school and they had the Socratic method I was always in dire fear of being called on and having to present. This was not only because I was sometimes unprepared.

Needless to say, as in the case of many, I was in dire fear of public speaking.

Over the years my fear has abated and presenting skills have somewhat improved. I attribute my improvement, in no small part, to the breezy give and take at Gotham meetings.

This brings me to the First Annual Gotham Oratorical Contest which will be held on Saturday November 9th at Mercy College (thank you Dean Victoria Drogin), contest co sponsor. First prize for local high school contestants is $1000.

Our oratorical contest is the brain child of Jackee Schess (pictured above) who recently finished Second in a state wide American Legion Oratorical contest and came away with the inspiration for our contest.

Not only did Jackee conceive of the contest, but she has administered and shepherded it. Obviously, we would not have had it without her and we extend great thanks to her for all that she has done.

If you know of tristate high school students who might benefit from this please let us know.

Of course, when I was young there would have been no way I would have had the guts to compete. Hats off to Jackee and all the contestants!