Young people, start thinking about what peace means to you.

The Suffolk chapter of the NAACP is sponsoring a public speaking contest on the topic of peace on Dec. 11. Thirty teens, ages 13 to 19, will compete at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church. The first-, second- and third-place winners receive cash prizes. The first-place winner goes on to compete in January against nine winners from other speaking contests throughout the region for a $1,000 cash prize.

Suffolk NAACP president Charles Gates organized the contest after being invited to judge a similar one in Norfolk. He soon found out it was one of a series of contests in the region.

“It turns out that was part of a series of youth speaking contests set up by a young lady named Lauren Davis,” Gates said. “I was so inspired by the participation and just the sheer enthusiasm of that evening in Norfolk, I told her we need to branch this thing out.”

Gates then brought the idea to the Suffolk NAACP’s youth council, who agreed it was a good idea, Gates said.

The local chapter is seeking its 30 participants on a first-come basis. Registration is initially open only to Suffolk residents, but others will be allowed to fill out the roster if there are open spots.

The competition is split into two parts. In the first stage, participants will be separated into groups of six, and each group will give their speeches in separate classrooms to a three-judge panel. One winner will be chosen from each classroom, and those five winners will go on to compete on the main stage in the second portion of the competition.

“We’re encouraging people from the community to come out and support this,” Gates said.

Participants should prepare only one speech for both portions of the competition, he added. Those who plan to compete should start getting ready now.

“We’re trying to get them to not use notes,” Gates said. “We don’t want them to read their speeches in their entirety behind a lectern. We want them to command the stage.”

Gates added that in addition to content and delivery of the speeches, “appearance is going to be of the utmost importance.”

The competition will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. The church is located at 3488 Godwin Blvd. Entertainment will be provided for the audience during the preliminary session, and vendors will be on site.

For more information, call Gates at 218-2251. To register, call 1-866-358-9552.