Lauren Lefever, who is a speech-language pathologist serving kindergarten through 12th grade in the Pequea Valley School District (PVSD), likes to raise awareness of speech and language issues in May, which is Better Hearing and Speech Month.

For several years, Lefever has chosen to ask elementary school students in the district to participate in the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) contest held in May. To increase understanding of speech and language concerns, Lefever opens the competition to the whole school. "I open it up to everybody because the concept is to advocate about speech and language to the public," noted Lefever, who added that some elementary school teachers ask her to visit their classes to explain the slogan and what how those who choose to participate in the contest should proceed. "I feel it's helpful for all the kids to have the idea of what better hearing and speech (means)," said Lefever. The slogan for 2021 was "Blast off to better speech, language and hearing!"

Over the years, individual PVSD students have placed in the contest at various time. In 2021, however, three Salisbury Elementary School learners received places and prizes. Emma Gielenz won first place in the coloring contest, which is open to students in kindergarten through third grade. Shyann Metzler won second place in the drawing contest, which is open to third- through sixth- graders, and Addy Slaymaker won third place in the essay contest, which is open to fourth- through sixth-graders. Addy is now a student at Pequea Valley Intermediate School. All three students were honored at a PVSD meeting on Oct. 14.

Lefever sent up to 100 entries to the statewide competition in mid-May. She heard back from PSHA around the beginning of the school year. Winning students received a certificate and a gift card in the mail.

"They were all very excited (to win)," noted Lefever, who said that it was unusual to have three winners in the district and one winner in each category. "That was cool," said Lefever, who added, "It's great because this year (more) kids will be interested in competing."

Readers who would like to know more about the district may visit http://www.pequeavalley.org.