Ms Youman and fellow student, Logan Stanley were nominated by Head of English and History teacher, Susan Dolby.

Ms Youman will now advance to the zone level held at the Armidale Dumaresq Lions Club early in the New Year, where she will be required to present a five minute speech and two impromptu speeches.

“Two outstanding students and I think the competition was fairly stiff but I had feedback from the Lions Club that the calibre of students was very impressive,” Guyra Central School principal Jo Burgess said.

The initiative is designed to encourage students interested in leadership to take an active role in the community.