Ellen Wittman Wins 2015 Ohio Right to Life Oratory Contest
Ohio Pro-life Youth Compete for a Spot at National Competition in New Orleans
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ellen Wittman, a junior at Immaculate Conception Academy in Cincinnati, won first place in the 2015 Ohio Right to Life Oratory Contest held this past Saturday at the Tree of Life Christian Schools Ministry Center in Upper Arlington. Ellen’s speech discussed the controversial discoveries at convicted abortionist Kermit Gosnell’s Philadelphia abortion facility in 2010.
“Ellen’s poise, her careful research, and her ability to tell a story make her an excellent representative of the pro-life generation and pro-life movement generally,” said Katie Franklin, director of communications for Ohio Right to Life. “All of this year’s contestants showed an acute knowledge and passion for the right to life movement. Our organization is very fortunate to work with these bright young leaders.”
Second place went to Kelly Jutte of Mercer County Right to Life and third place went to Fred del Guidice of Wayne-Holmes Right to Life. For the contest, high school juniors and seniors from across the state, each of whom won their local pro-life oratory contest, wrote and presented an original speech on a pro-life topic.
“Our high school participants are truly carrying the torch for the pro-life movement,” said Stephanie Ranade Krider, executive director of Ohio Right to Life. “We are constantly encouraged by the overwhelming number of students who are actively living out their pro-life values. Whether by participating in the annual March for Life, running Students for Life clubs at their schools, or competing in the Ohio Right to Life Oratory Contest, they are standing up and speaking out on the most important human rights issue of our time.”
As the winner of the state competition, Ellen will receive a paid trip to compete in the Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest to be held during the National Right to Life Convention in New Orleans this July.
To view the photos of this past weekend’s contest, click here.
Students from across Ohio competed as state finalists in the Ohio Right to Life Oratory Contest. L to R – Shelby Lindner (Clark County Right to Life), Fred del Guidice (Wayne-Holmes Right to Life), Kelly Jutte (Mercer County Right to Life), Ellen Wittman (Immaculate Conception Academy), Dylan Sherman (Shelby County Right to Life), Louie Ruane (Ashtabula Friends for Life)
Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 45 local chapters, is Ohio’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.
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