Tia Pickens

A Chickasaw student has won the Long Beach (CA) Lions Club annual speech contest.

Tia Pickens, a Robert A. Millikan High School junior, presented “Immigration, My Solution.” Tia won based on the originality and quality of material. She was presented with an award and $50 cash.

“It was a great experience,” Tia said. “I feel good that I had the courage to get there like I did.”

Tia also participated in the next round at the Marriott Courtyard in Downtown Long Beach on March 6.

Tia is the daughter of Craig and Alayne Pickens, of Long Beach. She is the granddaughter of Daphine Brown, Long Beach, Sherman Pickens, Wynnewood, Okla., Arlene Miller, and Kenneth Archie, of Seattle.

This is a synopsis from an article written in the “Corydon” Millikan High School paper by J. Daniels.

We are all so very, very proud of Tia! She also sang a solo of the Carpenters song, “Close To You.” You Go, Girl!

Love, your Aunties Sandra, Jennifer, Jene and your brothers, Kenny and Matthew.