Amanda Figeredo and Benjamin Adams
Amanda Figeredo, a representative of Atlanta Right to Life, won first place in the 2011 Georgia Right to Life Oratory Contest held April 30th at the Suwanee Library in Suwanee, Georgia. Second Place went to Benjamin Adams of Cobb County Right to Life. Amanda will now represent Georgia Right to Life at the National Right to Life Oratory Contest in Jacksonville, Florida in June.
Amanda is 17 years old and a former resident of Dubai, UAE, where she says abortion is “unlawful and unthinkable.” She credits her education at St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Dubai, among other things, for helping to solidify her prolife beliefs.
Amanda spoke on abortion. She says, “Whereas pregnancy was once exalted as a commendable contribution to society, it is regarded today as, in the words of Armstrong Williams, ‘a burden on our individuality and lifestyle.’” She goes on, “The Alan Guttmacher Institute states that one baby is aborted every 25 seconds. By the time I finish this message, more than 16 new lives will have been eradicated – the cruel reality of abortion today. How can we let this go on? Why are so many innocent lives so thoughtlessly discarded…”
Amanda is now an active member at St. Jude’s Parish where she sings in the youth choir. Amanda will begin classes at Georgia Tech this fall and plans to study economics.
Contest participants were high school juniors and seniors who researched and wrote an original five-to-seven minute speech on prolife topics such as: abortion, embryonic stem cell research, infanticide, and euthanasia. Having competed locally first, these inspiring students represented chapters from all over the state, including Augusta, Cobb County, Atlanta, Gwinnett County, Hall County, and Savannah.
Georgia Right to Life is pleased and proud to have sponsored this year’s event. Amanda and a guest will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip for her to compete at the national level in Jacksonville. Kudos go to each of our participants – our pro-life leaders of tomorrow!