Youth speaks

Rotary Youth Speaks 2023

After a period of three years absence through the coved pandemic “YOUTH SPEAKS”, the Rotary public speaking competition, took place on Wednesday 8^th February at Brockhill Performing Arts College. The competition gives the young people from our secondary schools a platform to argue their view on a chosen topic. This year we had eight teams battling it out for their respective cups.  Taking part this year where The Marsh Academy, Brockhill Performing Arts College, The Harvey Grammar School and the holders of the cup The Folkestone School for Girls. The topics this year under discussion ranged from “Immigration: A great thing for Britain” to “Absurd Expectations: Teen body image and social media”. 

We were honoured by the presence of The Right Worshipful Mayor of Hythe Cllr Jim Martin, The Right Worshipful Mayor of Folkestone Cllr Nicola Keen, The Right Worshipful Mayor of New Romney Cllr Paul Thomas and the Deputy Lord Lietenant for Kent ,Major Dennis Bradley BEM DL

The competition finished just after 3 o’clock when the audience retired and the judges deliberated over their decisions.  Mary Tyler, the head judge for the intermediate teams, spoke of how high the standard had been this year but that the outstanding team had been The Folkestone School for Girls with The Marsh Academy runners up. Martin Wybrow the head judge for the senior teams also gave a glowing review with Brockhill Performing Arts College just edging out The Folkestone School for Girls for the senior cup. The cups and a cheque for £100 to the winning schools were handed out by the Deputy Lieutenant,  with all students receiving certificates for participation.