How many of us would feel comfortable speaking in front of a large audience in a huge lecture theatre at the age of 11? The answer is probably very few of us. 

Yet, that is what the youngest entrants in the Rotary Youth Speaks contest had to do earlier this month in the smart lecture hall at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.

Twenty students from four local schools took part in the first round of a national competition designed to develop confidence in debating and public speaking among young people.

A wide range of topics was debated from the light-hearted to the topical.

The first team in the Intermedate category to open the debates was from Eggars School in Alton, where their chair gave a lively introduction to his team members.

Their topic was ‘Dogs should not be kept as pets’, and their Proposer spoke in favour, giving several examples of the problems caused by dogs. The Opposer, however, showed how valuable dogs can be and the benefits they bring.

They were followed by the team from Farnham Heath End School, whose topic was ‘Getting good results in exams determines your success in life’. Again the debate was well contested by both Proposer and Opposer, with a passionate rebuttal of the idea from the Opposer. 

Another Farnham school, Weydon’s topic was ‘Should zoos be banned’, which produced well-researched presentations from both Proposer and Opposer. 

They were followed by two teams from Ash Manor School in Aldershot. Their first team suffered a last-minute blow when they heard that their chair was ill and could not join them. 

They continued, gamely, to discuss the topic ‘There should be doors on toilets’.

This subject was not as clear-cut as it might have seemed, as the arguments of both sides showed. Their second team had the subject ‘Can school students really make a positive contribution to the impact of climate change?’, an important subject for all students to consider. 

The Proposer presented the case clearly, and the Opposer had the difficult task of rebutting it, which he valiantly did.

After a short break, the category for senior schools took place. Ash Manor School put forward two teams, and the first had the topic ‘Do children of wealthy people have an unfair advantage in education?’ Although the answer to this problem might have seemed obvious, the Opposer presented her argument so well and so passionately that it earned her a Highly Commended award from the judges. 

Ash Manor’s second team debated ‘Are comic books literature or art?’. 

This was a skilful debate with powerful arguments on both sides, particularly from the Proposer, which earned him the award of Best Speaker from the judges.

The judges, Oliver Jordan, Jonathan Jones and Ann Newson had a difficult task in assessing the performances of the schools, and Ann Newson, a very experienced judge of dramatic performance, congratulated all involved and offered the students valuable advice about public speaking as they got more experienced. 

She announced the winners, firstly of the Intermediate category, which went to Eggars School and of the Senior School which went to the second Ash Manor team, all of whom were presented with certificates, medals and a voucher for £15. 

These winners are now eligible to proceed to the next round of this Rotary Youth Speaks competition, held on a regional basis, and then eventually to a national award.

The competition was organised by the two Rotary clubs in Farnham, for whom the development of opportunities for young people is a key concern. 

The hospitality at the University for the Creative Arts was greatly appreciated by the Rotary clubs and by all those involved.