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NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COLLEGE PUPILS TRIUMPH
IN ROTARY YOUTH SPEAKS NATIONAL FINAL
What::::Rotary Youth Speaks
When:::Saturday 8th May 2010
Where::Stratford Upon Avon High School, Stratford Upon Avon.
 Ciaran Dixon, Alex Rudgalvis and Christian Smith from the Ferrers Specialist Arts College, Higham Ferrers, took to the stage in the grand final of the Rotary Youth Speaks 2010 Senior Competition and not only came third place but the award for Best Vote of Thanks went to Christian Smith.
The team, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rushden Chicele, were up against seven other groups who had all made their way through local school and regional heats before coming to Stratford on Avon for the Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) final.
Their presentation ‘Communication in the modern world’ gave the audience and judging panel much to think about. “Sometimes the modern methods are not necessarily the best way at expressing yourself,” said speaker Alex, “Messages can be lost in translation. A letter is far more personal as I can see the stroke of the pen and work out where the writer enjoyed writing and where their personality really shines through.”
“We are surprised and glad to be in the final. It has been a great experience. We’ve made friends with the other teams and have kept in touch with them throughout the competition” added Christian.
Mary Smith, award winning public speaker and member of the Association of Speakers Club, was one of the judges: “What we have heard this afternoon has been absolutely amazing and of a very high standard. There has been very good use of voice, pitch, pace and pause, so important in public speaking. Excellent quotes from a variety of sources have flowed from all the teams. The speakers were very thoughtful, full of conviction and truly amazing.
“I and the rest of the judges are full of admiration for every team. Please do not give up public speaking, your skills and abilities to express yourselves freely are excellent. You are well prepared for success in the future. It has been a great privilege for us to be with you this afternoon.”
RIBI President David Fowler, awarding the trophies, said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to make this award. Everyone here has made their way through regional heats. In their own right and own region, everyone is a winner. Congratulations to each and every one of you today. The standard is incredibly high and there are truly outstanding speakers. Their eloquence is to be marveled at and they have given the audience much to think about.
“In a time when youth is much maligned, these youngsters have shown how honourable, talented and inquisitive young people are. They are tomorrow’s leaders and it is well worth our while to encourage their talents. The future is certainly safe in their hands.
“At RIBI, we work very hard to make sure everyone has a chance to develop their leadership skills and confidence while making a difference and, of course, having fun along the way. Rotary Youth Speaks is a wonderful opportunity for young people to take centre stage and be heard. The event helps them to test out and hone their oratory and presentation skills.”
RIBI offers several programmes for youngsters. Here are just a few:
- Rotary Young Chef
- Rotary Young Musician
- Rotary Young Photographer
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
- Interact
- Rotaract
The competition offers young people aged 11-17 an experience of speaking on a public platform as members of a team, the discipline of dealing with a topic in a limited time and the opportunity of learning and practicing high standards of expression, presentation and appearance.
The team of three consists of a Chairperson, a Speaker and a Proposer of the vote of thanks. The Chairperson had two minutes to welcome the audience, to introduce the Speaker and to inform the audience of the relevance or expertise of the Speaker to the subject of his/her speech. The speaker had six minutes to present and just two minutes to consider a question posed to them. The Chairperson then introduced the Proposer to conclude.
Here is the list of the participating schools, competition category and chosen topics:
Intermediate category aged 11-13 years of age:
- Marshalls Park School, Romford, Greater London. – Best Vote of Thanks
Topic: Failure
- Salesian College, Farnborough.
Topic: Has Britain lost her sense of humour?
- Arran High School, Isle of Arran, Scotland. – 1st place and Best Speaker
Topic: The afterlife
- Bourne Grammar School, Bourne, Lincs.
Topic: To P.E. or not to P.E.?
- John Hanson School, Andover, Hampshire. – 3rd place
Topic: Is honesty really the best policy?
- Shipston High School, Shipston, Warks.
Topic: London 2012 – is it really worth it?
- Ysgol Maes Garmon, Flintshire. – 2nd place and Best Chair
Topic: Computer war games – corrupting children’s minds?
Senior category 14-17 years of age:
- The English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College, Hartlepool.
Topic: The media – marvelous or manipulative?
- The Ferrers Specialist Arts College, Rushden, Northamptonshire. – 3rd place and Best Vote of Thanks
Topic: Communication in the modern world.
- Swaminarayan School, Neasdon, London. – 1st place and Best Speaker
Topic: In an age of sound-bites, is oratory dead?
- Hawley Place School, Camberley, Surrey.
Topic: Add as a friend?
- Tavistock College, Devon. – 2nd place and Best Chair
Topic: Jack of all trades, master of none?
- Kenilworth School and Sports College, Warks.
Topic: Everybody does it!
- Dallam School, Milnethorpe.
Topic: Who stole Christmas?
- Strathearn Grammar School, Belfast.
Topic: What can society do to resolve the problems of alcohol, smoking and drug taking?
Judging the competition is done by examining the following:
The Chairperson’s management of the meeting: (25 points)
The Speaker’s ability to present argument and answering question: (50 points)
The quality and courtesy of the Vote of thanks: (25 points)
Photographs provided by Stewart Band of Stewart Band Photography
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