Virac, Catanduanes (24 November) -- Joanna N. Sarmiento, a second year student of Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSE) English major of the Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC), was declared champion in the Bicol Regional ROTC Speech Contest held November 9 at the Bicol College Gymnasium in Daraga, Albay.

Sarmiento's piece centered on competition's theme ROTC: Preparing the Youth to become Better Citizens and Future Leaders.

She was coached by Dr. Yolanda M. Tariman, chairperson of the CSC English Department.

Six higher education institutions representing six provinces in the Bicol region joined in the speech tilt.

Garnering the second and third places were the students from Masbate Colleges and Partido State University (Camarines Sur). Other participating schools were Bicol College (Albay), Camarines Norte State College and Sorsogon State College.

Mrs. Aida Alcazar-Naz, chief of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bicol Planning Services Division chaired the speech tilt's panel of judges.

CSC ROTC coordinator Jose F. Tabligan, Staff Sergeant Agapito E. Llanes and Dr. Tariman accompanied Sarmiento in the said regional competition.