These were among the topics debated in the annual Llanelli Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition held at Llanelli Town Hall.
“The quality of the arguments presented was outstanding and the children taking part reflected great credit on their schools and families,” said the chairman of the judging panel Lt Colonel David Mathias. “All the competitors were a great credit to their families and their schools.”
The competition saw the teams from St John Lloyd and Bryngwyn take the senior and intermediate prizes to progress to the next round of the Rotary competition – a zone area final.
The Youth Speaks competition is organised on a national basis and it is possible for the teams to win through to a UK final.
Lt Col Mathias said: “The standard in the competition was exceptionally high and the competitors made the judging task a very difficult one, so much so that there was a tie for one of the prizes.
Llanelli Rotary Club president Alan Owen explained that the Youth Speaks event offered an opportunity for Llanelli pupils to gain experience of speaking on a public platform.
He said: “It allows young people to form ideas on significant subjects and learn high standards of expression, presentation and appearance. It also gives pupils the experience of accepting impartial assessments and constructive criticism.”
The competition was run to a national Rotary format which included a question from the floor. The main speaker for each team faced the daunting task of fielding an unrehearsed question from Rotarian Past President JC Williams MBE.
Llanelli Rotary President Mr Owen added: “The youngsters coped admirably with the questions, not an easy task in front of a large audience at the Town Hall.”
Results –
Best Intermediate Team – St John Lloyd (who debated The Olympic Legacy. This generation is inspired, so what’s next?)
Best Chair – Bronte Reynolds, Brynwgyn.
Best Speaker – James McMillan, St John Lloyd.
Best Proposer of Vote of Thanks – Stephen Hughes, Bryngwyn.
Best Senior Team – Brynwgyn (who debated The growing gap between rich and poor).
Best Chair – Zoe Bonnell, Bryngwyn.
Best Speaker – Shared by Lucy Havard, Bryngwyn, and Sion Davies, St John Lloyd.
Best Proposer of Vote of Thanks – Ryan Davies, Brynwgyn.
The judging panel was – Lt Colonel David Mathias DL (chair), Ann Brace, retired teacher from Tregib School, Llandeilo, and retired QE High Carmarthen headmaster Tim Day.
The MC for the evening was Rotarian Past President Robert Lloyd. The event was organised by a team led by Rotarian Mark Evans. Prizes were handed out by Llanelli Rotary Club President Alan Owen.
Picture slideshow below shows winners with Llanelli Rotary Club President Alan Owen.
