SCHOOL students from near and far, including many from Farnborough Hill, have taken part in the regional finals of Youth Speaks, a well-established Rotary sponsored public speaking competition.

Farnborough Hill School was entered by Farnham and Weyside Rotary Clubs. Six schools in total competed – three in the intermediate 11 to 13 years category and three in the 14 to 17 years category – with all students speaking eloquently, confidently and competently on subjects ranging from the changing role of women in society to social media and hunger.

At the senior level Farnborough Hill came out top competing against Sandhurst School and The Harvey Grammar School from Hythe. They follow in the footsteps of one of their school’s previous teams which went all the way to win the national title in 2012.

Their team of Roisin Royle, Catriona Flesher and Imogen Usherwood spoke on whether or not social media is really social.

In their category, Catriona was voted the best speaker and Roisin the best chair. They will enter the national event at the beginning of May in Telford, for which the Rotary clubs send them their very good wishes.

All Rotary members, parents and teachers there on the day recognised the value of the competition in providing opportunities for students to gain all-important life skills, and as the district governor, Frank West, said in awarding the prizes all participants were winners.