The Fayettevile Optimist Club held its 28th annual oratorical contest and invitations went out to area schools. The subject this year was "My Hero Is."

Judges were Steve Harris, Jackie Pratt and the Rev. Royesse Stowe, Inman United Methodist Church.

Chosen in first place for the boys was Christopher Tavarez, a 6th grader at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Hapeville.

His selection as his hero was the late Walt Disney. "I chose him," Christopher said, "because he was ambitious, patriotic, and he put a magical spark in everyone's eyes.

"He grew up on a farm and learned a great work ethic. He worked with the United States government in World War II to produce training and health films to help the war effort.

"If Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse and Disneyworld never existed, think of how America would be today? Exactly!

"An ambitious, patriotic American who put a magical spark in your eyes and mine, and my extraordinary hero, is Mr. Walt Disney."

First place for the girls went to Christina Jones, also a 6th grader at St. John's in Hapeville.

Her subject was Martin Luther King Jr., and his contribution and sacrifice in making the world a better place.

The entrants were to speak between 4 and 5 minutes. The various "hero's" spoken about included former President, Jimmy Carter, Oprah Winfrey, Vietnam veterans, a grandfather, the biblical character David, and Christopher Reeve.