On March 12th, five Whitehall High School students participated in our annual 4-Way Test speech contest with topics including financial freedom, harassment of women, basic needs insecurity and ocean pollution.
All high school students, grades 9 through 12 are eligible to participate in the contest. Each contestant chooses the topic of his/her speech. The purpose of the speech is to persuade others while applying the principles of the Rotary 4-Way Test. The 4-Way Test asks the following four questions of the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Their stellar entries made it difficult, but ultimately the judges selected Sarah M. as the winner. Her moving and persuasive speech focused on the ongoing, often overlooked, abuse and neglect in puppy mills.
Of her preparation and participation in the event, she said, “Not only did I learn a lot from my classmates' speeches, but I was also able to look at a topic I am very passionate about from a new perspective by applying the four questions. Asking myself the questions of the 4-Way Test while doing research for my speech really encouraged me to look deeper past things I already knew about my topic.”
Sarah went on to represent Whitehall High School and our Club at the Regional Contest on March 22nd where she placed third.