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Melissa Temple
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NASHVILLE, May 8, 2012 --16 year old
Melissa Temple is passionately pro-life and not afraid to speak up for her
convictions. "I want other teens to know that one person can
make a difference and that one voice can change the world," Temple
says. On Saturday her enthusiasm and speaking skills combined to make
the Johnson City teen winner of the 13th annual Tennessee Right to Life
Oratory Contest for High School Students, one of the largest such
competitions in the nation.
"I've always been pro-life for as
long as I can remember," says Temple who was born and lived in Cape
Town, South Africa before moving with her family to Johnson City. "In 9th
grade I became passionate about the cause of life after studying the issue
and learning more about the humanity of the unborn," she said.
Temple then entered the local Right to Life speech contest in Northeast
Tennessee and went on to win the state finals in both 2011 and 2012.
Due to age restrictions, this is the first  year for Temple
to represent Tennessee at the national finals to be held in Washington,
D.C. later in June.
"Once my interest was piqued there
was no stopping me," a joyful Temple explained. "After my
first participation in 2010 I was more determined than ever to come
back."
The oldest child of David and Susan
Temple, Melissa has four younger siblings, is home-schooled, and attends
Heritage Baptist Church in Johnson City.
Other winners of the state contest
include Benjamin Borck of Lebanon, Joshua Jackson
of Nashville, and Abigail Kouns of Knoxville, all
of whom received cash prizes from Tennessee Right to Life and financial
scholarships from Aquinas College in Nashville, a lead sponsor and host for
the annual competition. "It is a joy to host this competition each
year," said Sister Elizabeth Anne, VP of Academic Affairs for Aquinas.
"Hearing these students gives me hope that there is still good left in
our youth...and the future of the pro-life movement looks bright!"
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Melissa Temple,
Benjamin Borck, Joshua Jackson, Abigail Kouns
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Late last month, the Tennessee State House
officially recognized the Tennessee Right to Life student contest with
passage of HJR 1133, an honorary resolution commending the more than 1,000
students who have participated since 2000. "One of the most
important things we can do as pro-life legislators is to encourage our
young people to stand for life," said state Rep. Kevin Brooks of
Cleveland, Tennessee. "I am very proud to have brought this
resolution forward in support of Tennessee's pro-life movement and,
especially, our pro-life youth," Brooks said.
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