Warwick Mayor Jackie D’Arcy joins Laurie Day, President Jon Wassall and Alan Bailey.
November 12th saw Westgate Primary School in Warwick host the annual “Youth Speaks” competition organised by the Rotary Club of Warwick, which gives local young people a chance to demonstrate their public speaking skills.
This year 21 young people competed in seven teams from: Kineton High School; Kingsley School; Warwick School, and Kings High. Students competed as Intermediates (11-13), or Seniors (14 -17), with prizes awarded to the winning teams.
Each team of three members had 15 minutes to debate a topic of their choosing. The Intermediates chose to debate whether “Smart phones should be allowed in schools”; “Is re-sale acceptable”; “Pupils should not have to learn another language”, and “Museums should offer to return artefacts to their country of origin”; whilst Seniors considered whether ”Christmas celebrations start too early”; “Curiosity is humanity’s greatest strength”; and “All drugs should be de-criminalised”.
This annual event gives young people a chance to voice their opinions on topics they feel strongly about and demands significant research, knowledge and the confidence to present arguments clearly and concisely.
The contestants were judged by an experienced panel well steeped in the mystical art of public speaking. The event was hosted by Rotary Club President, Jon Wassall, and was attended by Warwick Mayor Cllr Jackie D’Arcy, parents and colleagues.
Head Judge Louise Haines commented that everyone had done their research and made some thought provoking points, and the results had been very close.
The Intermediates competition was won by a team from Warwick School, and the Senior competition was won by a team from Kings High School.
Warwick Mayor Cllr Jackie D’Arcy presented Book tokens donated by Warwick Books to the winning teams. She congratulated them for presenting intelligent arguments for and against a variety of themes demonstrating critical thinking and respectful discourse. All did themselves, their families and our historic town proud.
Master of Ceremonies Alan Bailey said the Rotary Club has been organising the competition for many years, it is part of their commitment to provide opportunities for Young People to develop skills, along with the Schools Concert and Travel Grants. Learning how to speak in public gives everyone an advantage in life.
President Jon Wassall closed the evening thanking parents and teachers who supported them through the preparation process and wishing them well with their exams.
Intermediates winners from Warwick school- Bobby Sun, Ethan Jones and Ruben Sandher.
Senior winners from Kings High – Charlotte Betts, Josephine Wood and Karine Lo.
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