Rotary Speech Contest

Randolph Union High School sophomore Laurel Soares was winner of the Randolph Rotary Club Speech Contest last Thursday.

Won by Sophomore

Four poised and attractive sophomores and juniors from Randolph Union High School took part Thursday in the sixth annual Randolph Rotary Club speech contest.

Trained at RUHS by English teacher Tina O'Donnell, each of the four gave a speech of five minutes or less on one of two topics. One was the Rotary International's "Four-way test of the things we say and do" and the other was this year's Rotary motto, "Lead the Way."

With five Rotarians serving as judges, using a standard matrix, all four produced well-written speeches, delivered clearly and with confidence.

Winner of this, the first round of the contest, was sophomore Lauren Soares of Randolph Center. She walked away with a $100 check and the right to enter further levels of the contest, which will eventually bring her into competition with winners from throughout the 50-club district, which comprises Quebec as well as Vermont and New Hampshire.

A speaker who keeps winning could win as much as $1000 in the contest.

Winning the $50 second prize was Zoe Gaby-Smith of Brookfield. Also competing, and drawing excellent comments from the judges, were Morgan Brown and Erica Weber.

Thanks to Tina O'Donnell were offered by the speech committee chair, Dick Drysdale. She not only recruited the students but offered them several chances to practice and be critiqued.

Regardless of whether they won or lost, he told them afterwards that he hoped they found the experience to be enjoyable.

"I can assure you that public speaking is one of the best possible ways to prepare for leadership, or just participation, in whatever forum you choose later in life," he said.

The speech contest is just one of several ways in which Rotary promotes youth leadership. Others include the Rotary Exchange program, a leadership training seminar and world policy seminar, and working on job application interviews with students.