Katie’s winning speech addressed the global water crisis by asking listeners to imagine a life without water and how more than one billion wake up each day without clean water. The high school senior challenged all to write their public representatives to address the issue and support WaterAid, a London-based organization whose mission is to overcome poverty by enabling the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education, and other international efforts to eliminate this growing problem.

“We congratulate Katie on her speech,” says The Words That Shook the World founder Richard Greene. “In her winning speech, she challenged us to find a solution to this terrible problem that confronts so many millions and she did it in a compelling, focused and moving way.” The competition – free and open to every high school student in America – is designed to enhance students’ oratory skills, leadership, critical thinking and ethical decision-making abilities, and to help furnish the skills needed to be of service to others.

For her first place finish, Katie was awarded a VIP trip to New York City to meet with Richard Greene, WaterAid executives and The Police, a supporter of WaterAid. In addition, Katie’s message will be promoted through WaterAid to the international media.

“I am honored and excited to have taken first place in the summer camp competition,” says Katie. “This competition allowed me to share my views and encourage people to be more conscious about this important issue while also enhancing my public speaking skills.”

To view Katie’s speech or for more information, visit www.wordsthatshooktheworld.com.

Ariz. 4-H member Katie Radosevic (2nd from left) meets Sting and The Police during her Global Water Crisis speech award trip to New York City.