Speech Trek is an AAUW-CA annual speaking contest open to all high-school girls and boys on a subject related to AAUW’s themes. Students prepare a five-minute speech with strict timing guidelines and may use only one small note card.  Speech preparation requires students to use research, organizational and oratorical skills. The contest begins at the branch level. Three state competitors, selected from video tapes of their winning branch speeches, progress to a competition at the AAUW State Convention in the spring.

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The Eleanor Stem-Allen Speech Trek Scholarship was endowed by Gray Allen in honor of his late wife, Eleanor Allen, who was a dedicated AAUW member.  She initiated the branch Speech Trek program and served as the branch Speech Trek Coordinator for the first two years.  The Scholarship funds the prize monies for our branch winners and for the winners at the annual state AAUW convention.  Local branch prizes are $750 for 1st, $500 for 2nd, and $250 for 3rd. The State competition prizes are $1500, $750, and $500, respectively for the top three awards. The Scholarship also funds all of the branch expenses for the program, as well as expenses for the branch winner to attend the state convention.