Simon Gutierrez, a resident of Islamorada, recently won the Post level of the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Gutierrez was required to present several timed speeches from a random selection of four topics to a panel of judges and an audience of family, the public and Post 145 Legion members. Gutierrez was awarded $550 in scholarship funds from his sponsor, the American Legion Post 145 Islamorada. Judges for the Post level of the competition were school board member John Dick (veteran), Special Operations Lieutenant Paul Bean and former supervisor of children family services Stacey Swain. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. James Hager served as coach for Gutierrez. Oratorical chairs for the contest were Post 145 adjutant Angie Glover and first vice commander Kim Dipre. Pictured from left are John Izanec, Gutierrez, Angela Glover, Kim Dipre and Mike Ehlers. AMERICAN LEGION POST 145/Contributed
