Mallory Tanis of Sanilac County Right to Life won first place in the 22nd Annual Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund High School Oratory Contest. Sixteen high school students from across Michigan spoke at the competition on Saturday, May 14 in Lansing at Life Christian Church. Winners of local Right to Life of Michigan affiliate contests compete in the state contest. Contestants gave five-to-seven minute speeches on the issues of abortion, embryonic stem cell research, infanticide, human cloning or euthanasia.
Pictured from left: Christina Laidler, Second Place, Shiawassee Co. RTL. Mallory Tanis, First Place, Sanilac Co. RTL. Jacob Iverson, Third Place, Lenawee Co. RTL.
Mallory is a home-schooled senior from Silverwood. Her speech was on the impact of continuing advancements in ultrasound technology and information on fetal development.
“Currently, in 2011, our ultrasound machines are able to give us a tremendous amount of information about the unborn child,” Mallory stated during her speech. “The pro-abortion movement in its most political manifestation has particularly disregarded recent medical and scientific advances. It has never made adequate room in its public stance for a serious and honest consideration of the changes in knowledge about the fetus.”
Mallory, a three-time state oratory finalist, was also the runner-up for our 2011 Outstanding Prolife Youth Award because of her excellent volunteering work. Mallory will be representing Michigan in the National Right to Life Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest on Saturday, June 25 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Second place went to Christina Laidler of Shiawassee County Right to Life. Christina is a sophomore at Perry High School. Her speech was on abortion and her personal story of being recommended for abortion by doctors because she was a “high-risk” pregnancy for her mother. Third place went to Jacob Iverson of Lenawee County Right to Life. Jacob is a home-schooled junior from Adrian. His speech was on the issue of men and abortion and the lack of fathers’ rights in abortion decisions.
Right to Life of Michigan is proud of all of our contestants. They all gave excellent speeches in a very tight competition. We wish good luck to Mallory as she prepares for the national contest.