STUDENTS from three local schools competed in the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition 2020 – a national competition designed to develop the public speaking and debating skills of young people.

The competition is organised into two age groups: Intermediate, 11 to 13 years; and Senior, 14 to 17 years.

Teams consisting of a chairperson, who provides introductions and controls proceedings, a proposer – supporting the motion – and an opposer – opposing the motion – present and debate their chosen subject within strict time limits and answer questions from the audience.

A panel of judges applies the judging criteria and provides feedback to all the competitors. After the judges have determined the result of the competition, constructive comments and observations are given by the head judge before announcing the result. The winning team in each age group goes on to the next stage of the competition leading to a national final. All competitors receive a certificate of participation.

The Rotary Club of Wellington organised this round of Rotary Youth Speaks and two teams from Court Fields School, Wellington, three teams from Kingsmead Academy, Wiveliscombe, and two from Wellington School entered the competition. Rotarian Ian Hart, who was responsible for the smooth running of the competition, welcomed the teams and audience to the Drama Studio at Wellington School.

First out of the blocks were Kingsmead 3. Chairperson Theo Smallden introduced proposer Maisy Wellington and opposer Alfie Eagle who debated the motion ‘Fashion – fabulous or fishy?’. Should people follow fashion trends or establish their own identity?

They were followed by Wellington 1 with chairperson Joshua Hodson, proposer Cameron Howe and opposer Milo Griffiths discussing the motion ‘At times, it is justifiable to lie to children’. The arguments for and against were well presented and left many in the audience questioning their own beliefs.

Court Fields 1 debated the motion ‘Veganism is the way forward’, the first of two motions on this subject. The motion, proposed by William Bailey, opposed by Jack Carey and chaired by Riley Isaacs, was a topical presentation full of fascinating facts and figures.

The fourth motion, ‘Reality television – daft or dangerous?’, was presented by Kingsmead 2. Grace Evans chaired the debate in which Emma Clarke proposed and Nikola Rotakova opposed the motion. The pros and cons of current television reality programmes were discussed in detail.

Veganism was the subject of Kingsmead 1’s debate, chaired by Leona Shotter. The motion ‘Veganism – the answer to everything’ was proposed by Lucy Partridge and opposed by Lara Martin. The speakers engaged the audience with an excellent and topical presentation backed with facts and figures.

The last team in the Intermediate Section to take the floor was Wellington 2 with Emily Wood as chairperson. The motion ‘We should look up to the stars to help us better understand life on earth’ was proposed by Carolina Marcanik and opposed by Enjola Edesanya. The audience may have been expecting a debate about space travel but the ‘stars’ in this case were astrological. An interesting, lively debate well presented. In the Senior age group, Court Fields 2 with chairperson Amanda James, proposer Isabella Hiller and opposer Anthony Hendzel debated the motion ‘Being a teenager today is harder than it was 50 years ago’. An interesting subject with both speakers presenting their points of view confidently and clearly.

Each team was asked a question from the floor and responded with skill, confidence and occasionally humour. Such assured performances from these young people underlines their hard work and determination.

At the end of the presentations the adjudication panel, all with a background related to education and/or youth work, retired to consider each presentation for content, delivery, timing and how the question from the floor had been handled. The panel was made up of Bronwen Mills, Trevor Dancer and Maddy Pengelly, assisted by time-keeper Rotarian Bob Mills. After much deliberation the judges returned to the hall to give constructive feedback and announce their decisions.

The winners of the Intermediate Section were Kingsmead 1 with the motion ‘Veganism – the answer to everything?’. Each team member received a certificate and a W H Smith voucher for £20. Runners-up were Kingsmead 3 with the motion ‘Fashion – fabulous or fishy?’ and each team member received a certificate and a WHSmith voucher for £15. These two teams now go forward to the next round. In third place were Court Fields 1 with their motion ‘Veganism is the way forward. The team received certificates and W H Smith vouchers for £10.

As the only entrants at Senior level, Court Fields 2 automatically progresses to the next round. Each team member received a certificate and a W H Smith voucher for £20.

Rotary Club of Wellington president David Pugsley presented the certificates and awards. The club wishes to record its thanks to the schools, teachers and parents of the competing teams and to Wellington School for providing the venue and refreshments.