Youth Speaks 2018

Through this competition, we encourage the development of creativity and presentation skills essential to the art of public speaking, and this is shown through the enthusiasm of the students from the many schools which take part. The Rotary GB&I Youth Speaks competition, as a result, continues to go from strength to strength each year, producing some superb quality speakers in our young people aged from 11 to 18. 

This four stage national competition aims to encourage development of effective communication skills. It offers young people: 

• Experience of speaking on a public platform as a member of a team
• An incentive to formulate ideas on topical subjects
• Discipline in dealing with a topic in a limited time
• The opportunity of learning and practicing high standards of expression, presentation and appearance
• Impartial feedback of performance by experienced adjudicators

The competition is open to teams of three, in full time education, in two ages groups:

Intermediate         11 – 13 years

Senior                  14 – 17 years

Youth Speaks – First Round

In November we held our First Round event in this year’s Rotary Youth Speaks Competition at both intermediate and senior level.

Organised by James Gartrell and his Youth Committee, supported by many members of the Club, and hosted by Burgess Hill Girls, an enthralling evening unfolded as we listened to the excellent performances of the teams from Burgess Academy and Burgess Hill Girls.

Our keynote speaker was Caroline Nicholls, the High Sheriff of West Sussex, who gave us a fascinating insight into the role.

In turn, the adjudicators did an excellent job judging the performances and we wish the winning teams from Burgess Hill Girls every success in the next round, which takes place in January.

Our thanks go to all who supported and helped the Club to stage this event and to the students, teachers and parents for their hard work and preparation. It was much appreciated.