Youth Speaks 2025

BUDDING YOUNG SPEAKERS DISPLAYED THEIR TALENTS TO AN IMPRESSED AUDIENCE AND JUDGING PANEL

Because of the larger number of entries this year, it was decided to hold the Intermediate and Senior competitions on two consecutive Fridays.

This year’s INTERMEDIATE event was hosted by QUEENS COLLEGE on Friday 17^th January 2025 and taking part were:

Blake School, Bridgwater

               Court Fields School, Wellington             

Kings College, Taunton   

Pyrland School, Taunton

Wellington School, Wellington

The Debates provided an entertaining afternoon of passionate exchange of views from all teams,

 The judges eventually announced the INTERMEDIATE winner to be KINGS COLLEGE, TAUNTON, after they made their case for, ‘Should the Teaching of Cookery in Schools be Made Compulsory?’

The Best Speaker award for the Intermediate Competition was awarded to Gemma Horton who was a competitor from Court Fields School, Wellington.

This year’s SENIOR event was hosted by WELLINGTON SCHOOL, WELLINGTON on Friday 24^th January 2025.  Taking part were:

Court Fields School, Wellington

Pyrland School, Taunton

Queens College, Taunton

Wellington School, Wellington

The Debates were of an extremely high standard with speakers making their speeches enjoyable to listen to.  They actively engaged their listeners, not only to inform, but also at times to amuse and keep the audience captivated throughout the presentation.  They demonstrated extensive research knowledge of their topics.

The Judges eventually announced the Senior winner to be COURT FIELDS SCHOOL, WELLINGTON, after they made their case for, ‘This House believes that Nuclear Arms are an Essential Deterrent’

The Best Speaker overall was declared to be the Opposer, Milly Howe, also from Court Fields Schoolowe.Howe

The Rotary Club of Taunton would like to express their gratitude to all the staff who were involved in their students’ preparation and also extend their appreciation to both Queens College and Wellington School for providing the excellent Venues.

It is so inspiring to see so many talented young speakers excelling in a competition environment and this year has shown us how young participants continue to develop and excel in presentation and confidence, proving that Rotary can be a real force in improving the futures of young people.

The winning teams took part in the District Round at Taunton School on 1st February and Kings College Taunton once again won the Intermediate competition and will now take part in the regional final when they will be up against teams from across the South West.

Stop Press: The team from Kings College were runners up at the regional final held recently in Bristol. Well done Kings College.