ON Saturday, 5th February the District Finals were held of the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition in Maisemore Hall, Gloucester. 

This four stage competition is designed to support and encourage the development of effective communication skills.

The Intermediate round (11 to 13 years) was won by Monmouth School for Girls (Carys Williams, Alex Grinnell Wright and Ellen Minty) who spoke on “The dangers of stereotyping”. 

In the senior competition (14-17 years) the senior team from Caldicot Comprehensive School, won third prize.

The winning senior (14-17 years) team was from The Red Maids School, Westbury-on-Trym.

They spoke on “All the World’s a stage” arguing that there are many parallels between our conduct in everyday life and that of a theatrical player.

The large audience very much enjoyed the presentations that were contentious, amusing and delivered with considerable energy after much research. 

This Youth Speaks competition is just one of the events organised by Rotary for young people

which are intended to develop their extra-curricular skills.

The competition offers young people experience in speaking on a public platform as a member of a team and offers an incentive to formulate ideas on topical subjects.

Additionally the compeition gives the students the opportunity of learning and practicing high standards of expression, enunciation, presentation and appearance.

Finally it gives young people an impartial feedback and assessment of performance by experienced adjudicators.