She stepped onto the stage. She was only 16 but she had poise that was beyond her years. She had spent months preparing for this moment. Her friends, her family, and even her church was there supporting her and cheering her on. She knew that she was far from perfect, but she had something in her life that made her different. Her life belonged to Jesus.

Her speech had not been written...she had molded it and put her very being into it. She practiced it over and over to: the mirror, her parents, her siblings, other church youth groups, her firends, her pastor, her speech coach, her church, and yes, even to her cat. She had won in her church and associational tournaments. Now, she was speaking with the best Christian teen speakers in her state.

She was very nervous, but not for the reasons you would expect. She wasn't afraid to go on stage in front of all those people because she knew God was with her. She was nervous because With all her heart, she wanted the people that heard her today to understand the truth in the words she would speak. So, she was going to put every thing she was into this speech. Today, she was speaking for God and that was all that really mattered!

Scholarships to be had

• University of Mary Hardin Baylor offers scholarship to the top five speaker participants in the state final competition in the amount of $2500.00 per year Each scholarship will be divided equally over the fall and spring semesters. These scholarships are renewable on a semester-by-semester basis provided the student completes at least 12 hours each semester with a GPA of 2.5 or better. For information contact Admissions Office, 254-295-4514
• Hardin Simmons University, Abilene offers scholarships as follows: $1000 per semester to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place state finalists. For information, please contact: 915-670-1266
• Wayland Baptist University, Plainview offers scholarships as follows: $1000 per year to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in semi-finals Additional $1000 per year to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place state finalists For more information, please contact: 806-296-5521
• East Texas Baptist University, Marshall offers scholarships as follows: $750.00 per year to all finalists $1500.00 per year to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place state finalists For more information, please contact: Vince Blankenship 1-800-804-ETBU or www.etbu.edu
• Howard Payne University, Brownwood offers a $1500 scholarship per semester to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place state finalist 1-800-880-4478
• Baylor University, Waco offers scholarships as follows: 1st Place - $5000 per year (2.5 GPA) 2nd Place - $3500 per year (2.5 GPA) 3rd Place - $2500 per year (2.5 GPA) Contact Student Financial Aid - 254-710-8943