Rotary Youth Speaks - National Final, Kirkham Grammar School

Reaching further than any other teams previously sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oswestry, three Year 11 students, Kitty Davenport, Martha Stewart and Morgan Darcy Rees-Deacon, represented Moreton Hall, School, Shropshire in the National Final of the prestigious Rotary GB&I National Youth Speaks competition at Kirkham Grammar School, Preston on Saturday 7th May 2016.

In a contest of very high standards, against teams from all around the UK, they are to be congratulated on their ability to speak so passionately on their subject of Feminism; Kitty in her role as Chairperson, Martha as the Speaker who spoke with clarity and confidence and Morgan who gave the Vote of Thanks and summed up the speech highlighting the key points. As a team they worked well together and were attentive to each other’s delivery.  It was also thought provoking and had been extremely well researched.

The Rotary Club of Oswestry is very proud that the team achieved a place in the final and, with GCSE Exam Revision looming, participated so well in an event that was performed at such a high level. This can only allow each of them to grow in confidence in presenting in the future.

The Club congratulates all three and wishes them good luck in their exams.

Jenny Edwards

Many thanks also go to the dedicated team of supporters from Oswestry Rotary Club who attended and supported the team at all the competitions.  They are Jenny Edwards, Sue Leonard, Mark Liquorish and Mike Griffiths.

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Youth Speaks is a Rotary competition that seeks to encourage public speaking and presentation skills in young people.  It begins with a Club contest between students entered from the local area.  The winning teams then advance round by round to take on teams in the Rotary District, the Rotary Region and the Rotary GB&I National Finals in turn.

Youth Speaks offers young people:

 *   experience in speaking on a public platform as a member of a team
 *   an incentive to formulate ideas on topical subjects
 *   discipline in dealing with a topic in a limited time
 *   the opportunity of learning and practising high standards of expression, presentation and appearance
 *   impartial feedback and assessment of performance by experienced adjudicators.

This year's competition was open to teams of three students who are in full time education in two age groups (as at 31st August 2015):

 *   Intermediate 11-13 years
 *   Senior 14-17 years

Dealing with the topic "Feminism", Moreton Hall Seniors advanced through the preliminary rounds to win the Regional Final at the Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University, Wrexham in March to earn their place in the National Finals at Kirkham on May 7th. 

The three students take on defined roles in the team contest.  The Moreton Hall Senior's Chairperson is Kitty Davenport, the Speaker is Martha Stewart and the Vote of Thanks is delivered by Morgan Darcy
Rees-Deacon; they are adjudicated separately and together as a team.

Delighted with their success, Oswestry Rotary Club wish the Moreton Hall team good luck in the finals and
hope to encourage more teams to apply for their Club competition next November.

"We would love to hear from other schools, colleges, Young Farmers', Cadet or other youth groups in our area if you want to challenge yourselves and take part" says Oswestry event organiser Jenny Edwards. 

If you represent a school or other youth group in the Oswestry area, would like to take part in Youth Speaks 2017 and can meet the age criteria at 31st August 2016, please contact Jenny on rotarycluboswestry@gmail.com, or message her via Twitter or on the Club Facebook page.  You must notify the Club by October 2016.

The National Rotary GB&I Final will be held at Kirkham Grammar School, Ribby Road, Kirkham, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2BH - Host District 1190.