EPILOGUE:

Brandon won Second Place in the contest. He was severely disappointed when he did not win First Place. His distress came because this was not the first time he entered, and in his words, "I always only get second place."

Personally, I share Brandon's disappointment. I cannot, nor will not speculate why he may not have placed first. The message he speaks, is not a comfortable one. Nor was it meant to be. To me, it is a quite remarkable achievement to be recognized as he was.

Following, was my personal written response to Brandon:

Thank you for your message, Brandon. I have personally known many of our Oratorical Contest participants. You are ALL winners. All the Optimists I know think so too. Perhaps that is why we are not allowed to be judges. Alas, there can only be one First Place winner from the boy's category, and one from the girls. Most of our participants DO come back for a second chance, and sometimes get First Place. If you will not be sixteen when the next contest takes place, you can indeed return and get your second chance. If you will be sixteen, and cannot participate, I would encourage you to remember that even against the best, you held your own. Look at how many individuals REALLY LOST, because they didn't even participate! So always keep in mind, that it is more than a speech that is being being showcased and judged: It is the effort and courage to participate that is most admired as well. And for that Brandon, we all salute you!

	
          - Robert C. Hanson
            March 17, 1996
            Canyon Country, California