Five students showcased their speeches during the Princeton Rotary Club’s annual speech contest Tuesday, with the three most impressive speeches being chosen as the winners.
This year’s contest theme “Imagine Rotary” was selected by Jennifer Jones, the president of the International Rotary. The speech contest is open to high school students in grades 9 through 12, and contestants had 5 to 8 minutes to present their speeches to Rotarians without giving their names. They were known as contestants A through E, until after the judges turned in their scorecards.
The five contestants included Caldwell County High School Senior Rachel McClung, who plans to attend Murray State University after graduation.
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Emma Peake is a senior at Caldwell County High School and plans to spend her first year after graduation attending college in Madisonville.
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Senior Abigail Ward at Dawson Springs High School plans to attend college in Bowling Green.
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Alana Harris, a junior at Caldwell County High School, plans to attend college in Murray when she graduates.
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And 14-year old Isabella Burton is homeschooled and doesn’t have a college plan at this time.
click to download audioWhen the results were revealed, Burton won 1st place, McClung secured 2nd place and Peake finished in 3rd place.
Burton entered the speech contest for the experience, to get her voice out there, and shared with Your News Edge that the victory was a valuable learning process for her.
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McClung said it was really great to have this opportunity.
click to download audioPeake also said she was thankful for the opportunity to participate in the Rotary Club’s Speech Contest.
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Geneva Malone and Dr. Melissa Earnest were tasked with organizing the Princeton Rotary Club’s Speech Contest. Dr. Earnest says she thought the young ladies did a fantastic job with their speeches.
click to download audioMalone awarded Burton with a $300 check for taking 1st place, McClung received $200 for 2nd place, and Peake was presented a $100 check. She also recognized Harris and Ward for their participation in the speech contest with $50 checks each.
To hear Isabella Burton’s winning speech click on the audio link below:
Rachel McClung’s speech:
Emma Peake’s speech:
Alana Harris’s speech:
Abigail Ward’s speech:
