YOUTH DEBATE COMPETITION

Members of the Rotary clubs of Sutton Nonsuch, Banstead and Epsom recently organised the first round of the national Rotary Youth Debate competition.

Schools from the Beacon, Blenheim, St. Philomena's and Wilsons participated in the annual event held this year at the Blenheim School in Epsom.

Each team comprises three students, a chairperson, a proposer and opposer for the motion. The subjects were extremely varied covering proposals to "Abolish homework" through to "Would a world without transnational companies be better?". The standard of the presentations was very high and at the end of the evening the judges had a difficult task to decide who should proceed to the next round.

The winners in both the intermediate (11 -13 years old) and senior (14-17 years old) sections were The Wilsons School and we wish them every success as they progress through the competition.

The Mayor of Epsom presented the winners with their prizes and certificates.

The three Rotary clubs thank our excellent judges and Blenheim School for hosting the competition. Most of all we congratulate each of the twenty-one syudents who had the courage to stand up and speak to the large audience. Public speaking is a hard skill to master, but such a useful one to acquire. Rotary is proud to have given these young people this opportunity.

The photo shows the Wilsons winning Senior team with their prizes and certificates together with the Mayor of Epsom & Ewell Councillor Rob Geleit and the chair of judges Ros Rokison.

In February the successful Wilson's teams competed in the second round hosted by the Rotary Club of Hounslow. Unfortunately they were unable to progress further BUT the Wilson Intermediate teams Aaron Muhate was considered to be the best "opposer" and in the Senior team Nihithan Vasudevan was judged to be the best "chairperson" and the best "proposer" was Zach Rogers.

Many congratulations to all of the six Wilson students, each of whom was excellent. We can be optomistic for our future when we hear the next generation speaking so elequently.