Photograph: Senior and Intermediate winning teams with RIBI President David Fowler. Photography by Stewart Band.
Youngsters from all across Great Britain and Ireland took to the stage for the grand final of the Rotary Youth Speaks 2010 competition in Stratford on Avon.
Katharine O’Donnelly, Christopher Jenks and Catherine McEachern, all 14 years old, from Arran High School not only scooped first place in the Intermediate category but the award of Best Speaker was given to Christopher. Their topic about the afterlife combined humour and drama with historical beliefs about what happens ‘next’.
Prerak Dwivedi, Shreeman Patel and Rajen Morjari from Swaminarayan School, Neasdon, London, were awarded first place in the Senior category with Best Speaker being awarded to Shreeman.
Their presentation ‘In an age of sound-bites, is oratory dead?’ gave the audience and judging panel much to think about. “We are shocked that we won and delighted. We had no idea what to expect. It’s been a great experience and really made us think on our feet,” said Shreeman. He added “I would urge anyone to do this. Even if you think you can’t, you don’t really know until you have spoken about something passionately.”
Paul Blunt, retired Open University director, was one of the judges for the Intermediate category: “This has been a remarkable experience. We have all been struck by the maturity of the presentations. I could have closed my eyes and adults could have been speaking. There has been effective use of humour which made presentations that much better."
Mary Smith, award winning public speaker and member of the Association of Speakers Club, part of the judging panel for the senior competition said: “What we have heard 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."
RIBI President David Fowler, awarding the trophies, said: “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."
If you would like more information about Rotary Youth Speaks or would like to enter, click here.
