Skip to main content

Home | Rotary Youth Speaks 2012/13 | Youth Speaks History

Youth Speaks Results

 

In 2012 the Rotary Youth Speaks District Final will be held:

At Dallam School, Milnthorpe on Saturday 25th March 2012

Click here to download an Information sheet for Rotary Clubs and secondary Schools.

Click here to download the Entry form.

The theme for speeches is the "Olymic Spirit" - however, whilst we recommend that teams choose a topic within this theme, it is optional.

 In 2011 the Rotary Youth Speaks District Final results were:

 Intermediate Category - age 11-13 years - 5 teams competed

1st place was Southlands High School, Chorley speaking on the subject of "University -Yes or No?"

2nd place was Lancaster Girls Grammar School speaking on the subject of "Families - Happy Families"

 Senior Category - age 14-17 years - 10 teams competed

1st place was Windermere School speaking on the subject of "But is it Art?"

2nd place was Austin Friars St Monica's School speaking on the subject of "We learn nothing from History"

Windermere School presented their speeches to the District 1190 Conference at Harrogate on March 4th. 

At the Region 7 final for all of NW England and North Wales held at Northwich on Sunday 13th March Windermere School won the Senior age category and then won the all British Isles RIBI final held at Cranleigh in Surrey on Sunday 1st May.  We congratulate them. 

Poppy Bullard, Speaker of the Windermere School team, said "I think that the concept of a Public Speaking competition is a fantastic way for students to improve their confidence.  My favourite part of all of the competitions had to be the question though!   Performing the same speech many times can become quite routine, so having a questioner to really stretch your knowledge of your subject was easily the most interesting bit.   I would urge any new competitors not to over-rehearse their speeches as it
is so evident when they are performed; instead, not rehearsing too much and keeping it fresh really worked for us!" 

Paul and Cecilia Flint, parents of Vote of Thanks Richard of the Windermere School team, said "During their final year in the Sixth Form we saw Pippa, Poppy and Richard mature – gaining noticeably in confidence, particularly when speaking in public.  In part this was due, in Poppy and Richard's case to being Head Girl and Head Boy respectively, but we have no doubt that the three of them benefitted greatly from taking part in Rotary International's Youth Speaks competition.  They did not expect to progress beyond the first round!  At each level of the competition, they relied less on notes and were able to ad lib to make their presentation sound relatively fresh and not over-rehearsed.  That Rotary International gave them this opportunity is greatly appreciated, and schools should welcome the chance to put teams forward.  They may not win, but they will all grow in capability as a result of the competition, through learning to influence audiences, speak clearly with well prepared content, and to improve through constructive comments.   For all students, the rewards include better communication skills and a good entry on CVs. 

We are grateful to Rotary International for their very genuine interest in youth development.  The great effort of Rotary International in this district, in particular, to support this and other youth initiatives cannot be faulted."

Our photos show all the Senior winners at the District Final, secondly Windermere School at the Regional Final and thirdly a photo of the Windermere School team - from left Richard Flint, Poppy Bullard and Pippa Smith.

To print an entry form for the Youth Speaks Competition 2011 click Entry Form

To print an information sheet about the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition 2010 click Information

If you are a Rotary Club wanting to organise a Rotary Youth Speaks competition locally and submit winners into the District Final you can print the Rules and Guidance document  (this will not be much different in 2010/11) by clicking Guidance.

The Rotary Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Course

This course for schools - the Rotary Presentation Skills course is now available  Click here for an information sheet.  The course is intended for all secondary school pupils who the teachers feel could have the aptitude and commitment to enter the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition.  The course teaches generic public speaking skills - essential for their GCSE as well as for their adult life - and consists of either three 45 minute sessions or two 90 minute sessions one week apart - the school chooses which.  The course tutors are trained and accredited Rotarians and each course has a maximum of 12 students.  The fee for each course is just £30 which hopefully the local Rotary Club will sponsor.    To download and print a course booking form please click here.

 

2010 Youth Speaks Results

The Speaker, Katherine Milligan, from the winning District Senior category team of Queen Katherine School in Kendal won the Best Speaker Award at the Regional final.  She spoke most amusingly about Adulthood.  The first photo below is Katherine with the judges.  Congratulations to her as she was brilliant.

The Senior team from Dallam School of Milnthorpe - see the third photo below - won the Regional final - Congratulations to them as they were first class.  They spoke about CRB checks at Christmas going too far.  Unfortunately speaker Stephanie was ill at the National Final, bravely performed but the team were not placed.  Very unfortunate but these things happen. 

The two District winners in the Intermediate category from Lancaster Girls Grammar School (see 2nd photo below) and Southlands High School in Chorley competed well at the Regional final but neither won.

Both the Queen Katherine School team and Lancaster Girls Grammar School team went to Rockfm to make their presentations into a radio programme and you can hear this by visiting www.rockfm.co.uk/schoolsrock , clicking on Listen and selecting "Rotary Speeches". 

2009 Youth Speaks Results - Albany came 2nd in the National Final.  WOW!

We had a record number of teams at our District Final on February 7th - four Intermediate and ten Senior Teams - from all around Lancashire and Cumbria sponsored by eleven Rotary clubs.

The Intermediate winning team was from Clitheroe Royal Grammar School speaking on "Necessary Nessie" and the runner-up team was from Southlands High School and Technical College in Chorley speaking on "Health and Safety - Has it become a monster?"    Both teams then competed at the Regional Final in Preston on 28th March and did very well but neither won.

The Senior winning team was from Albany Science College in Chorley speaking about "The Trials and Tribulations of Teenage Life" and the runner-up team was from Dallam School, Milnthorpe speaking on "The Best Years of our Lives".  Albany then won the Regional Final in Preston on 28th March and went on to become second in the National Final in Cheddar in Somerset on April 18th.  This in spite of being 14 and 15 years old and they were competing with many teams of 17 and 18 year olds.  They did very well and we are hugely proud of them.  The following is a photo of them winning their trophy at the National Final:

Their presentation can be heard on the radio show they made at Rockfm as part of their prize by clicking on www.rockfm.co.uk/thehub and click on English then on Albany High School Rotary Show.