When you were 12, or even 16, would you have voluntarily made a speech in front of strangers, in a competition? No, well neither would I. But last night I watched 7 teams of young people, 3 teams in the 12-14 age group and 4 in the 15-18 age group do exactly that. The occasion was the local heat of “Youth Speaks”, a public speaking competition for young people organised by my Rotary Club (Elthorne-Hillingdon) in conjunction with the other clubs in our Borough (Pinner, Ruislip-Northwood & Uxbridge).
Stiff competition was provided in both age groups, with Swakeleys School (above L) triumphing in the Intermediate section and Harefield Academy (L) in the Seniors. But really, everyone competing was a winner – to have the courage to take part and to conquer the nerves that always accompany public speaking was a feat in itself.
Well done all of them!
