Is it the truth; is it fair; will it build goodwill and better friendships; will it be beneficial? These are the goals of Rotary’s Four-Way Test and the challenge for the Avon, Avon Lake, and Brookside high school speech contestants who competed at the North Coast Rotary club meeting on February 5th in Avon Lake.
After much preparation and supported by their teachers, five contestants presented to a group of Rotarians, parents, teachers and guests. The topics of their speeches included, The Lack of Competition; Pay and Workplace Inequality; First Impressions and its Pitfalls; Sexual Harassment and the MeToo movement and Givers, Takers and Matchers, the Value of Labels.
Past Rotary Club President Dr. John Crooks facilitated the Contest for North Coast Rotary, including securing independent judges Esperanza Correa from LCCC and Dr. Robert Young from Baldwin Wallace University. Contestants were judged on multiple dimensions of delivery, originality and content.
After much deliberation and a referral to Contest Rules in order to break a tie, the winners were announced:
ALHS Junior Marguerite Smith for First Place and $300
AHS Senior Abigail McNichols for Second Place and $200
BHS Junior Marlee Kovalik for Third Place and $100
ALHS Senior Alex Stamatis for Fourth Place
ALHS Freshman Mallory Roof for Fourth Place
In March, ALHS Junior Marguerite Smith has the opportunity to compete at the Rotary 6600 District Level in Van Wert, Ohio.
North Coast Rotary Club and Foundation 