Youth Speaks Out
Club PRO Jim Walker reports on the Reading area finals of the Rotary public speaking contest.
Once again the school children from Reading and the surrounding areas have shown themselves to be able masters of the art of public speaking, with a bravado show from ten teams in competition.
Boys and girls from local schools competed on 13th February at the University of Reading’s Madejski Theatre for a coveted place in the next round of the competition.
Every year, Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland hosts a public speaking competition open to all school children. The format is a team of three, comprising Chairman, Speaker and giver of the Vote of Thanks, and they have 10 minutes in which to impress the panel of judges with their subject matter, their clarity of speech and manner, and their impact on the audience.
This was the Zone Final of the competition, with the winners of both the Intermediate and Senior Sections going through to the Rotary District 1090 finals and then on to the National finals.
An incredibly wide range of subjects was tackled by the teams, some humorous, some serious, but all containing a profound philosophical message, well researched and well presented. All the speakers were highly commended by the Judges, particularly those who managed the whole presentation without once even glancing at notes.
Winners of the Intermediate Section were The Bulmershe School sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Loddon Vale and Reading Maiden Erlegh. Their chosen subject was “A Plea for Understanding”.
In the Senior Section, the winners were Queen Anne’s School sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Caversham and Pangbourne. Their subject was “A Threat to British Schools”.
The Rotary Club of Reading Abbey organised the event on behalf of Rotary District 1090.
Above: The Bulmershe School. The winning Intermediate Team of Katy Whittle,
Alexander Squires and Samuel Warren with their teacher Anne Coulson, and on
the left Judges Jenny Hedge and Lisa Green.
Above: Queen Anne’s School. The winning Senior Team of Megan Greeves,
Afiya Titus and Jessica Moran with their teacher (top left) Tony Garner and
the Judges Gil Read Jenny Langham and Chris Newman