Junior Youth Speaks 2016

Following a very successful Youth Speaks competition at Kirkcudbright Academy last week, this Thursday it was the turn of the primary schools.  Each of the feeder primary schools, Kirkcudbright, Auchencairn , Borgue, Twynholm and Gatehouse held local heats to find their best speakers.  The final event being held at Kirkcudbright Primary to select the best young speaker in the district.

Each speaker was asked to talk for four minutes, on any subject of their choice, aided by Powerpoint if they wished.   The judging criterior was the same as for the senior youth speaks, audibility, clarity, interest , relevance, audience involvement being a few of the points considered.

The judging panel for the evening was Miss Pam Wells, pupil support and art and design teacher at Kirkcudbright Academy, Mrs Jean Beat, retired primary head teacher and founder of the Rotary Peace Advocate training programme, finally Gordon Cowan, a retired lawyer but raised to the judiciary for this evening.  Both Jean and Gordon are members of the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright.

The subjects chosen by the speakers covered a broad range,  Pokemon, Greek gods, Space, India, Dairy farming, Orienteering, Mammals, Wrestling and Dementia.  Obviously there had to be a winner and Fergus McClure’s presentation on mammals, was delivered with confidence, knowledge and good audience participation.  A close runner-up was Lisa Cruickshanks detailed explanation of dairy farming.  The judges considered Dylan Hibbert’s talk on Space to be the Most Promising.   All speakers had been successful in their schools competitions so although only the top three received trophies and or cash prizes they all went home with certificates to say that they had participated in the event.

As always the evening was a mixture of informative, amusing and thought provoking, a credit to the young speakers and indeed to the teachers in their schools.

During the intermission a presentation was made by the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright President, Chris Ingram to Alan McClure representing the Skateboard Park Committee of a cheque for £750.