Speech Contest Finalists Wow Audience
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Pictured, l-r: Jay Pennie, President, Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill; Nathanael Barlow; Janeen Barlow.
The final round of the Roger Taylor Rotary Speech Contest showcased talented young speakers before an audience of about 50 Rotary members, students, and community members. Contestants delivered original speeches on materialism, artificial intelligence, and historical accuracy, thoughtfully applying the Rotary 4-Way Test to real-world issues.
The winner was Nathanael Barlow, a senior at Pennsylvania Leadership Academy, sponsored by Chestnut Hill Rotary. Nathanael’s confident and well-organized delivery earned high praise from the judges and audience. His chosen topic, which challenged the popular notion that “money buys happiness,” won first place and was awarded $1,000. All three finalists delivered great speeches.
The second-place winner, Brynn McKeown, a 10th grade student from Twin Valley High School, won $500. Her speech covered artificial intelligence. The third-place winner, Dylan Attas, a 10th grade student from Archbishop Carroll High School won $250 and he spoke about historical accuracy and misinformation in the media.
The Roger Taylor Rotary Speech Contest is a competition for high school students to illustrate the Rotary Four-Way Test. Students prepare and deliver a five to seven-minute speech. The test is to ask the questions when making decisions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
““Yes, it’s judged, but it’s not judgmental. Every student who gets up there is already a winner.” ”
See snippets of each of the three finalists.
“The Four-Way Test Speech Contest is one of the easiest ways for a student to try public speaking for the first time, especially if they have a passion they want to share,” said Sue Mardinly. Chair of the committee that oversees the contest. “You don’t need to be on the debate team or have any experience. Just be willing to stand up and speak.”
As chair, she recruits other Rotary members from the Southeastern PA area to act as judges in the semi-final and final rounds. “I hope more schools and Rotary clubs get involved. It’s such a simple, powerful way to support young voices,”.
The contest helps students by nurturing ethical decision-making, developing writing and public speaking skills, and empowering advocacy for causes they care about. The contest is part of Southeastern PA Rotary’s Youth Programs which are aimed to develop the next generation of leaders. The contest was renamed the Roger Taylor Rotary Speech Contest after. Roger Taylor, who died in 2022, worked tirelessly to encourage students to apply to the competition.
According to Mardinly, “Yes, it’s judged, but it’s not judgmental. Every student who gets up there is already a winner,”
After the speeches, the attendees gathered and packed hundreds of food bags needed for Rise Against Hunger’s clients. These multi-location events were part of Rotary District’s Celebrate Our Youth Day which highlighted the importance community service.
You can see snippets of all three contestants here and watch each of the finalists' speeches in their entirety on the Rotary Southeastern PA’s YouTube Channel.