February 15 saw Northgate Methodist Church in Warwick host the annual Youth Speaks competition organised by the Rotary Clubs of Warwick, Warwick Avon, and Southam 2000, to give local young people a chance to demonstrate their public speaking skills.

This year just nine young people aged between 14 and 17 competed in teams from Kineton High School, Princethorpe College, and Warwick School.

Prizes went to the winning team, as well as an opportunity to compete in the West Midlands regional competition on March 5, and potentially the National Finals in April.

Each team of three members had 15 minutes to present the case for a topic of their choosing which ranged from 'artificial intelligence' to 'votes for prisoners'.

Rotary said the annual event gives young people a chance to voice their opinions on topics they feel strongly about and demands significant research, knowledge and the confidence to present arguments clearly and concisely.

Runners up from Warwick School with Rotarian Alan Bailey. The team was Ryan Taylor, Frederic Wyatt, and Pranav Raja (image via Rotary Club of Warwick)

The event was hosted by the president of the Rotary Club of Warwick, Keith Talbot; Southam 2000's Sarah Kelley; and Warwick Avon president Jennie Guest, and attended by Mayor of Warwick Cllr Parminder Singh Birdi, parents and colleagues.

Head Judge Mo Sutherland commented that everyone had done their research and made some thought provoking points. The results were very close.

The senior class was won by the team from Princethorpe College debating whether 'Valentine's Day is nothing more than a commercial enterprise'.

Cllr Birdi presented the winning team prize and congratulated all the speakers, saying they had acquired confidence which would serve them well in the future.

Rotarian Alan Bailey presented the Runner up team Prize and said that the Rotary Club had been organising the competition for many years and all the teams were "winners" in that learning how to speak in public would give everyone an advantage in life.

President Keith Talbot closed the evening thanking parents and teachers who supported them through the preparation process and wishing them well with their exams.

President Keith Talbot with contestants from Kineton High School -Benjy Brannon, Ryan Taylor and Archie Flude (image via Rotary Club of Warwick)