Students from Glen Innes, Guyra, Inverell and Armidale had already won Youth of the Year competitions at club level, were up against each other to see who would go on to the district final at Sawtell on the mid north coast on March 25.

Matt Campion from Glen Innes High School represented the Glen Innes Lioness Club.

In his prepared speech, Matt, who is an athlete, provided a blow-by-blow account of preparing for a race.

In the end it was Armidale student Ragavi Jeyakumar who was the winner.

The PLC Armidale student was also named the public speaking winner at the final, held in Armidale on February 25.

The contestants had been put on the spot with two impromptu questions – which asked which famous person from history they would like to have dinner with, and if they would like to see a skyscraper built in their town – before they presented a five-minute prepared speech later in the evening.

Earlier, the contestants had been interviewed by the judges – Jodie Cox from the competition;s sponsor, National Australia Bank, Dr Mary Kaspar, Mrs Carole Hollebrandse, Mr Peter Sniekers and Mr David Levingstone – about their interest, academic achievements and knowledge of current affairs.

The majority of the points are awarded in the interview stage of the competition.

After her win, Ragavi will now represent the region on Saturday, March 25 at the Lions District 201N1 Youth of the Year final at Sawtell.

The winner there goes on to the state final, ahead of the national finals in Hobart in early May.