By ISAAC LINFORD
The Progress
The Moapa Valley Rotary Club announced the winners of its a speech contest for local high school students during a meeting held on Wednesday, March 20. A group of four students attended the meeting to receive a cash award for their performances.
The speech contest, which took place at MVHS on Feb. 29, had a total of about 8 participants. Each speech was judged through an established criteria for similar Rotary contests across the country.
This year, the youth speakers were instructed to talk about ways to “Create Hope in the World and Our Community by applying the Rotary Club’s 4-way Test.” The 4-Way Test, created by Herbert J. Taylor is a set of questions asking Rotarians: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Does it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it beneficial to all concerned”
Tying for first place in the contest were Elise Dalley, a senior; and Emmie Bowler, a junior. Second place winner was sophomore Hal Thompson. Third place was senior Allie Nelson.
Contestants’ speeches were supposed to fit within a 5 to 8 minute time frame. They were graded on knowledge of their speech, organization, and speech topic coverage. In addition, expression, clarity, enjoyment, and time management was considered. Each criteria had a maximum score of 4 points with a total possible score of 28.
“I really enjoyed writing a speech based on this topic because I feel like it is such an applicable issue in the world,” said first place winner Elise Dalley. ”I included my own personal experiences with service through various humanitarian trips that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of. I shared how I have witnessed people across the world have hope through service and how we can too.”
“I’m so thankful for the Rotary Club who is always finding ways to support the future of students in our valley!” Dalley added.
Rotary Club Speech Contests happen across the United States on different levels. A new topic is chosen each year.
“The Rotary Club was pleased with the participation and we hope to have even more participation next year,” said MV Rotary Club President Reed Werner. “We love our MVHS students and their efforts to challenge themselves”
