For the past four months, the Coronado Rotary Club has followed (and cheered!) the progress of Angela Ahern and Owen Schafer as they presented their speeches at Rotary Clubs throughout the county. The competition culminated at Liberty Station’s Conference Center hosted by the San Diego Rotary Club 33.
Six finalists impressed a packed hall with their passionate presentations on topics that included the impact of social media, the tragedy of genocide, and the creation of an “Adulting Club” which prepares teens for their transition to adulthood after high school.
Owen Schafer won second place for his speech about his development of a STEM/Sailing curriculum for Coronado Middle Schoolers. Angela Ahern won third place for her presentation on the practice of child marriage, particularly in the Third World.
At three luncheon tables, overflowing with proud Rotarians, family and friends, everyone watched in anticipation as each student demonstrated incredible poise and preparation. It was a pleasure to see two Coronado students perform so well among very talented and competitive finalists.
Angela and Owen became finalists after finishing first or second in a series of club, sub-regional and regional competitions. They were chosen by judges at each level to continue to the next level of competition. They demonstrated strong oratory skills, poise and passion in a competition that attracted over 150 high school students from across San Diego and Imperial counties.
The annual Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest provides cash prizes of up to $1500 to high school students. The speeches are based on the “Four-Way Test” principles followed by Rotary International.
Follow the progress of the 2017 Rotary Speech Contest:
