Howick Rotary held its annual Brian Hanlon Howick College 4 – Way Test Speech Contest for year 9 and 10 students last Tuesday evening.
4 Finalists Amber Vodanovich, Hope Milo, Anannya Chaudry and Max Louw presented some thought-provoking speeches to a large audience of their families, College organizing teachers and Rotary club guests and members. Toastmaster’s organization members Devi Subramaniam and Deborah Geisler Geisler were on hand to judge the speeches.
The speeches were judged on the basis of points awarded for Content, Organization and Delivery with the overall winner being the person with the best cumulative ranking. The winner on the night was Anannya Chaudry whose subject was “Derogatory Speech”. Devi Subramaniam who was lead judge also provided the contestants with some adjudication comments and remarked on the “very high standard that the students had achieved”.
The Contest is held annually and this year was organized by College teachers Tom Stacey and Ann Botha in conjunction with Rotary’s Youth Committee Director Rob Mouncey. It commemorates former long serving Rotarian and past President Brian Hanlon’s contribution to the Community and to Education.
Rotary President Mike Abercrombie said that “the Contest is one of the highlights of the Rotary year particularly in relation to the many Youth support projects that the club undertakes and it is really pleasing to see the confidence that these young people demonstrated in presenting their speeches”.
The awards for the night included gift vouchers from Paper Plus in Howick with the winner also receiving the Brian Hanlon Trophy. Katie Treneman Owner of Paper Plus said “she was really happy to support Rotary in their efforts to encourage the development of young people in the community”.
President Mike Abercrombie concluded the evening by saying “Rotary people are involved in many different community projects while having a great social time together so anyone interested in becoming a member should contact Membership Director Ian Fox Mob 021662 896 or email ian@fox.co.nz.
From Left to Right: Ann Botha Howick College Head of English, Mike Abercrombie Rotary President, Devi Subramaniam Toastmasters Lead Judge, Tom Stacey Organizing Teacher, Ridhi Hope Milo (2nd Runner Up), Max Louw (2nd Runner Up), Anannya Chaudry (Winner with Brian Hanlon Trophy), D Amber Vodanovich (1st Runner Up), Rob Mouncey Rotary Director and Michelle Innes Brian Hanlon’s daughter.
From Left to Right: Howick College Finalists, Hope Milo, Max Louw (both 2nd Runners Up), Anannya Chaudry (Winner holding the Brian Hanlon Memorial Trophy) and Amber Vodanovich (1st Runner Up).
Anannya Chaudry delivering her Trophy winning speech.