A selection of students from local Wokingham schools have triumphed this year in the annual ‘Youth Speaks’ competition held by Easthamstead Rotary club.

This year’s competition, hosted at Luckley School, consisted of 27 students each debating equally important and relevant topics. These topics ranged 'Are peaceful protests more effective?', and 'Is social media negative for society?' to 'Does your dialect matter?'

The winning team in the Senior competition included Georgina Nason, Space Lutterodt-Clottey and Zara Cherry from Wellington College in Wokingham. They debated the issue of 'Should adults have to pass a test before coming parents?'

The Intermediate winners came from Yateley Manor School. Hope Horne, Hazel Tennant and Isabel Arnold were the intermediate winners from Yateley Manor School. They discussed the incredibly topical debate that is, 'Young girls' mental health: Instagram should be banned for anyone under the age of 16'.

Bracknell News:

Dave King, a Rotarian and current Editor of Rotary Today was one of the Judges at the event.

He reports "The quality of speeches was exceptionally high as the students tackled some tough subjects which they had researched well and articulated brilliantly. The students were a credit to their schools and demonstrated how strong their communications skills are."

Several of the teachers from the participating schools commented: "It was a great event. We will be back next year.”

This is just one of the local projects that Easthamstead Rotarians hold annually across the 6 areas of Berkshire. They are determined in their aim of promoting education, preventing disease, providing clean water, peacebuilding, supporting women and children, and protecting our environment.