Youth Speaks 2013-2014: competition for local juniors

This year's contest reached probably the highest standard the Club has seen in the course of twenty years. The usual stalwart schools took part and the Club is grateful to them for making this another event to remember.  Club members who have never previously witnessed the competition continue to be impressed by the standards of thought and presentation the children unfailingly attain. As set out below, the choice of topics was wide-ranging, and each handled informatively and with appropriate humour. The questions were uniformly handled well.

The Club is indebted to the judges (David Hughes of Anderson Lloyd LLP, Carole Allen, and Helen Sandle-Baker) who found it hard to choose between the teams, to Devoran School (and especially retiring Head Mrs Breakwell) who hosted the event and generously provided refreshments before and during the event, and to the timekeepers and assistants from the Rotary Club.

The winning team came from Kea Community Primary School, who had been local runners-up and then winners of the Area heat last year. Each member of the team played a strong part, showing how important teamwork is in this event. Their topic was "Man's best friend - who should pay?" With some illuminating evidence, speaker Henry argued powerfully and clearly about the problem of clearing up the mess left by dogs! 

Truro High School for Girls, also speaking about dogs, came second in this round.

Both teams then competed in the central area round of the competition and went on to take part in the District 1290 Junior Final, held at The Falmouth Hotel as part of the District Conference programme on 1 March. Congratulations go to both teams on reaching this level, and especially to Kea School who finished second in the District.

The schools and their chosen topics

Archbishop Benson School		Why children should rule the world
Devoran School		Board games or computer games?
Kea Community Primary School		Man's best friend - who should pay?
Mithian School		Are stories best told through book or film?
Polwhele House Preparatory School		The weather
Truro High School for Girls		A friend, a security guard, or a living food processor?
Truro School Prep		A taste for Polish culture

Photos: Pam