Youth Speaks – Abraham Darby triumph

A team from the Abraham Darby Academy won the Telford heat of the Rotary International in Britain & Ireland [RIBI] public speaking competition held at the Thomas Telford School. The Telford heat of ‘Youth Speaks’, organised by the Rotary Clubs of Ironbridge, Newport, Telford Centre, Wellington and The Wrekin, was contested by teams representing the Abraham Darby Academy who spoke on the subject ‘Is the pressure of education worth the rewards’, Adams Grammar School [‘Should we search for extra-terrestrial life’] and Thomas Telford School [‘Trolls but not as you knew them’]. With just minutes to put their argument across, the teams of three must work together to introduce their chosen topic, deliver it in a clear, balanced and entertaining manner and invite the audience to be involved. The judges look for confident performers, clearly articulated points of view and the ability to respond to questions.

Chair of the Judges Jean Escott, former Arts & Culture Manager for Telford & Wrekin Council, congratulated all the competitors on their performance and on their interesting and well researched topics before giving the result of the competition to the teams and audience. The Abraham Darby Academy team of Justine Tanumjit [Chairperson], David Stevens [Speaker] and Sean Yapp [Proposer of the Vote of Thanks] were presented with a trophy, certificates and gift vouchers. The team, supported by their tutor Michael Duffield, now proceed to the RIBI District 1210 Final which takes place in the Festival Centre, Market Drayton on 5th March.

The photograph shows from the left: Chair of Judges, Jean Escott; Sean Yapp; David Stevens; Justine Tanumjit and Tutor Michael Duffield

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