The winner of the Rotary Youth Speaks Champions 2008 Finals held today was St Aloysius’ College, Glasgow who won the senior award, second was Queen Elizabeth’s High School, Morton Terrace and third was The School of St Helen & St Katherine, Abingdon.The winner of the intermediate award was The Bulmershe School, Woodley, near Reading, second was Peniel Academy, Brentwood andthird was The Castle School, Taunton.
Fifteen schools from across Great Britain and Ireland battled itout at the City of London School for Boys London on Sunday, 27thApril, 2008.
BBC News Presenter Huw Edwards was the Master of Ceremonies at the event and he said he was very impressed by the high standard of all the teams and their grasp of the issues they discussed.
The senior competition was adjudicated by Simone Lakmaker,Cherie Booth QC, and Gautam Lewis. Cherie presented the prizes to the winners and certificates to all the competitors. She said:"When I was in the sixth form I used to participate in the English Speaking Union debates in a team of three in precisely this format I enjoyed it tremendously and I feel it gave me the confidence to speak in public which lead to my becoming a barrister and so helped me get where I am today"
The intermediate competition was adjudicated by Tom Frost, Countess Howe and Kati Strange. Allan Jagger President Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland presented the prizes to the intermediate award winners. He said "This competition offers young people a wonderful experience of speaking in public as a member of a team, giving confidence and self esteem. I thank all the Rotary Clubs for sponsoring all the teams both in today’s final as well as all the regional heats."
Forty five competitors took part in the final and they tackled awide range of topics. Each school team in the finals consisted of three members: a chairperson, a speaker and the other giving a vote of thanks.
28/04/08
