ONCE again local schools have come out top in the tightly fought local semi-finals of the Youth Speaks public speaking contest.

Youth Speaks gives students the experience of speaking on a public platform as a member of a team, to formulate ideas on topical subjects, to learn and practise high standards of expression, presentation and appearance - and all within the discipline of presenting in a limited time.

Alton’s Amery Hill School won the senior event and Farnborough Hill, for the second year running, won at the intermediate level.

Both were entered by The Rotary Club of Farnham and the Rotary Club of Farnham Weyside which, last November at the University for the Creative Arts, ran the ever-popular annual local heats of this well-established Rotary-sponsored public speaking competition.

Ten schools in total competed in the semi finals - four in the intermediate 11 to 13 years category and six in the 14 to 17 years category – with all students speaking eloquently, confidently and competently on a wide range of topics.

Farnborough Hill’s team of Lily Suchet, Charlotte Dargan and Amelia Finn spoke on ‘Gender (in)equality in sport’, with Charlotte getting the vote for ‘best chair’.

Amery Hill’s team of Bella Adams, Bella Herrman and Abi Tidball chose ‘Labels’ with Anna getting the vote for ‘best speaker’. Other topics included ‘winning at all costs’, ‘are we ready to go Eco?’ and ‘the greatest obstacle to progress is prejudice’.

David Coker, chairman of the youth committee of The Rotary Club of Farnham, said: “You never know when you might be called upon to speak in public and this competition enables our young students to obtain the confidence to do so without fear when called upon.

“No-one is in any doubt of the value of this competition in providing opportunities to gain all-important life skills. All participants are winners!

“Both teams will enter the district final next month with all our good wishes.”