Recently eleven Kirkcudbright Academy pupils from took part in the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright’s Youth Speaks competition held at the School.
First commenced in 1982, this year’s competition again featured a wide range of topics. The talks presented by pupils from the S.1 to S.3 age group included ‘On being a Bladesmith’ and ‘The Lockerbie Disaster’.
The subjects chosen by senior school S.4 to S.6 pupils included ‘Organ Donation’, ‘Winston Churchill’ and ‘Dementia’.
The large audience found much to enjoy and to reflect upon during the various talks all of which demonstrated the knowledge, enthusiasm and the ability of the participants. The panel of judges was drawn from the Academy (Ms G Watson), the Community (Mrs Linda Milligan), and the Rotary Club (Mr. John Johnson) and they most skilfully discharged their duty.
From the junior school, the winners were: 1 Stephen Dale-Sunley; 2 Fynn Ross; 3 Ruby Graham; and, from the senior school: 1 Asha Brown; 2 Claire Martin; 3 Sam Gurling. Laura Baillie was recognised by the judges as the most promising speaker, and all eleven pupils received a participation certificate. In his summing up the lead judge, John Johnson, commended the pupils upon their efforts and their confidence whilst also highlighting the challenging and very personal topics chosen by some of the participants.
The Rotary President, Paul Tebay, presented the prizes which included a decorative Quaich for the winner of the junior section of the competition and the Jim Scott Memorial Trophy for the winner from the senior school.
In his closing remarks MC for the competition, Gavin Scott, observed that the competition had been a great success and thanked the English Department of the Academy for supporting and encouraging the pupils who took part in the competition.
