Coronado High School and CoSA students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to enter the 2019 Rotary International Four-Way Test Speech Contest. The deadline for entries is January 31, 2019.
This year marks the seventh year of Coronado Rotary’s participation in the competition. In the past several years, Coronado students have regularly become District Finalists and semi-finalists in a contest involving hundreds of high school students, with several Islanders winning over $1,000.
Other benefits of participating in the competition include learning how to prepare and present a speech, being at ease and confident in front of an audience, and sharing a subject the speaker is passionate about. Feedback from students indicate that they feel better prepared for college interviews or at other times when they need to make a good presentation.
The Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest encourages high school students to prepare and give 5-7 minute speeches that apply the Four-Way Test to everyday activities and issues.
The Four-Way Test asks the following four questions of the things we think, say, or do:
Participants have an opportunity to choose subjects they are passionate about and present their speeches for judging at Rotary Club semi-finals on February 5 and 6. Four speakers will be selected to vie for cash awards at the Coronado Club Championship on February 27: First Place $200; Second Place $100; Finalists $50 each. The Coronado Club winner will advance to the next highest level contest with opportunities to participate in Rotary District level finals in March and April with additional cash prizes totaling more than $1,000.
This year, to encourage greater participation, Coronado Rotary is offering a group coaching session with a professional speech trainer for all students interested in participating in the Four-Way Test Speech Contest. The coaching session will take place Sunday, January 27 from 3:15-4:30pm in the Winn Room of the Coronado Library. Our trainer will offer individual private coaching after February 7 to all students who advance to the next round.
To register for the club semi-finals of the 2019 Rotary Speech Contest, students should complete the Student Entry Form found on the Coronado Rotary Club website at www.coronadorotary.com. Click on the Four-Way Speech Contest tab near the top of the page. Contest rules, FAQs, Tips and Videos are on the site as well. Early registration is encouraged, as requested dates and times will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
For additional information, contact Rob Taylor at [email protected].
Below are two winning speeches from past contests. Interested students may like to watch.
