Of the things we think, say, and do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? These are the pillars of the Rotary Four-Way Test that form the foundation of the speeches presented at the annual Rotary speech competition for high school students.
The competition was tough. The audience was impressed with the students’ speaking skills and powerful stories. Who would win and go on to the next level of the contest?
In the Hotel Del’s meeting room filled with Coronado Rotarians, four Coronado High School students presented their speeches. At a preliminary competition, these students had been selected by judges from 12 contenders for their ability to deliver persuasive speeches applying the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Coronado High School senior Olivia Blore won First Place and $200. Olivia spoke passionately about the scourge of ivory poaching and how the hunting of elephants for the ivory trade needs to end.
Second Place and $125 was awarded to Cole Mullins. The CHS sophomore spoke about the Boy Scout creed, and how friendships through Boy Scouts made a difference in his life.
Jasmin Buschmann and Jay Morris received Finalists Awards of $75 each. Jasmin is a senior exchange student from Germany. She spoke about the benefits to students and hosts from the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
Jay, a junior at CHS, related the Four-Way Test to the problem of homelessness and what he’s done to alleviate the problem. He has a website for his work at www.capsforthehomeless.com.
Olivia and Cole will be representing the Coronado Rotary at the Rotary District 5340 quarter-finals.
