Bryan Smith, a seventh-grade student at Our Lady of the Angels Academy in Lansford, recently won third place in the annual CYO Diocesan Declamation Contest in Bethlehem on May 3, as well as first place in his district.

This was Smith's first time competing in the contest.To be eligible to compete at the diocesan level, students must be enrolled in a Catholic school, be in seventh- or eighth-grade, present a historic speech that is no longer than 10 minutes, and show their ability to execute good communication, body language, eye contact and self-confidence.Smith is the son of Roobhenn and Harmony Smith of Summit Hill.