2023 CARCD High School Speak-Off Competition

The 2023 High School Speak-Off Competition is approaching! Are you a high school student interested in the environment, agriculture, and natural resources? The Speak-Off is an annual competition designed for students in grades 9-12 to provide a voice on issues that matter most to them.

With the support of their local RCDs, students compete first at a county level and then regionally for a chance to participate in the final speak-off round at the Annual CARCD Conference in November. Winners and runners-up receive cash awards for their time and effort. Travel to and from these events for the student and chaperone is paid for by their RCD. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three competitors: $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place.

This year’s Speak-Off Competition topic is:

California climate is changing, and groundwater recharge will be important to ensure water for future generations. Are there other natural resource benefits to groundwater recharge projects and how can RCDs help? What local or regional examples can you point to and how have these examples helped your community?

For speech rules, click here. To participate in the Yolo County Speak-Off Competition, interested Yolo County high school students should fill out the Speak-Off Application linked here and submit it to Yolo County RCD’s Outreach Coordinator, Alli Permann, at permann@yolorcd.org. The winner of the Yolo County competition will proceed to the Sac Valley Regional Association of RCDs competition with a chance to proceed to the final competition at the Annual CARCD Conference.