District Final Youth Speaks 2025

Talented young speakers go head-to-head for victory at the Rotary Youth Speaks: A Debate Competition

Budding speakers in the age groups 11 to 13 and 14 to 17, displayed their talents to the audience and judges in the first round of Rotary Youth Speaks. The debating competition was hosted by the Bridport Rotary Club supported by the Brit Valley Rotary Club. It was held at Beaminster School on 15 January 2025 with teams from Sir John Colfox Academy and Beaminster School taking part.

After an entertaining evening of debate, Sir John Colfox Academy team of Chairperson Arturo Webster-Botella, Proposer Oliver Chaning-Pearce and Opposer Poppy Grier emerged victorious in the Senior category. They argued the case for and against the topic ‘The UK cannot meet the current annual population increase’. The judges were so impressed by the performances of both proposer Oliver and opposer Poppy that they were chosen as joint ‘Best Senior Speaker’.  

In the Intermediate category, the Colfox team of Chairperson Poppy Sweet, Proposer Eliza Groves

and Opposer Iris Mould claimed the prize after winning with their debate about ‘Is it time for tourism to end’.  Bea Bibby, the proposer for Beaminster School for the topic of ‘Formal Exams are redundant’ was chosen as the Best Intermediate Speaker.

The competition aims to provide young people the experience of researching and speaking on a public platform as a member of a team about a topic or issue they care about, as well as the opportunity to learn and practice high standards of expression, presentation and appearance. It was encouraging to see so many talented young speakers excelling in a competitive environment. They are passionate about the issues and topics they care about, and that shone through with their presentations.

All the teams thanked everyone for going along to listen to their debates and the Rotary Clubs for arranging the event and encouraging the teams to take part.

After winning the local heat, the winners go on to the second of four stages on the road to the national final, where they will face the same tasks against the winners from other schools from Rotary District 1200 at Taunton School (TA2 6AD) on 1 February 2025.

Rotary Youth Speaks, a debate competition, is one of eight nationwide competitions for young people ages 11-17 that are organised by Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland every year. These competitions are a great way for young people to be challenged in a fun and friendly environment. Rotary is committed to offering them opportunities to unlock their potential, develop their skills and broaden their horizons. It is encouraging that competitions like this are still running  successfully so proving Rotary can be a real force in improving the futures of young people.

If you would like to get involved in next year’s competition or any other Rotary events near you, contact the Rotary Club of Bridport or the Rotary Club of Brit Valley to find out more.

To get involved in Rotary and make a difference in your community, visit www.rotarygbi.org/join