AAUW to hold Speech Trek Contest Jan. 29; reviews end-of-year activities from 2015

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Branch of the American Association for University Women (AAUW) is holding its annual Speech Trek Contest Jan. 29, to be held in the Community Room of Fallbrook Library at 5:30 p.m.

Contestants are AVID students at Fallbrook High School and have been receiving coaching from AAUW members Rosemary West and Karen Langer Baker and from an eight-week Leadership Program, sponsored by Fallbrook Toastmasters and taught by Carole Hodges.

The topic for this year's competition is, "Gender Bias and Inequality." The public is invited to this free event. Refreshments will be served. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Fallbrook AAUW presents countless opportunities for growth and mentoring for local girls. Projects/activities include Tech Trek travels to nearby college campuses with supervised overnights and rotations on site through different career tracks with the ability to ask questions of professionals in the field.

A field trip to the new Palomar College Planetarium and Observatory on Nov. 24 included a college campus tour, mentor/mentee gatherings and an observatory exploration opening up opportunities for scientific discovery and possibility.

The AAUW held its annual AVID mentor/mentee Christmas cookie baking in December followed by a gathering on Dec. 12 which included career conversations, a gift book exchange and caroling with younger and older students alike joining in the fun.

Upcoming presentations by AAUW chapters of interest have or will include scholarship fundraisers and educational presentations such as their annual competitive Mahjong tournament, social events such as a monthly movie "review" night, annual AAUW garden tour, and Halloween fundraisers.

For more information on AAUW programs and activities, visit www.aauw.org or www.aauw-ca.org; to request a copy of their online newsletter, write to: [email protected].