Soroptimists Mullingar host National Girls Public Speaking Competition
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Anne Melly, president Mullingar Soroptimists, with the Wilson’s Hospital School entrants, Niamh Grier and Sarah Finn.Image 2 of 4
Anne Melly, president Mullingar Soroptimists, with Niamh Grier, Wilson’s Hospital School (left) and Emily Shaw, Loreto College Mullingar.Image 3 of 4
Ms Melly with the Loreto team, Clodagh Geraghty, Aoife McGouran and Emily Shaw.Image 4 of 4
Ms Melly with Castlepollard Community School students Clarissa Harmon, Laura Delaney and Clare Walsh.Eight students presented on topics such as ‘Partnership and Empowerment of Women’, ‘Friendship and Volunteering’, ‘Planet and Environment’ and ‘Prosperity and Health’ in the local heat of the National Girl’s Public Speaking Competition.
Soroptimists Mullingar hosted the event at the Mullingar Park Hotel on Wednesday November 10, and the students who took part were from Castlepollard Community College, Loreto College Mullingar and Wilson’s Hospital School.
They had all been through a local school based heat prior to participating in the local heat last week. Emily Shaw from Loreto College Mullingar and Niamh Grier from Wilson’s Hospital School won and will now represent Mullingar and District in the regional final, in Athlone on Saturday December 4.
The chair of the adjudication panel, Mary Hughes, commented on the high quality of the content and presentations of the topics selected and commended the students, teachers and families on the work that had been completed in advance of the competition.
The National Girl’s Public Speaking Competition is an annual feature of the work of Soroptimists International Republic of Ireland, and over the years, the competition has been lauded for its commitment to the empowerment and educations of girls.
Note from Wilson’s Hospital School
Congratulations to Niamh Grier, Form 4, Wilson’s Hospital School, joint winner of the Soroptimists public speaking local heat. She is pictured with her teacher and coach Mr Burke.
The theme of Niamh’s speech was ‘break the stereotype’ and she focused on the heroism of Edith Cavell, whose courage saved the lives of hundreds during WWI. Niamh faced high standard opposition from several local schools.
The competition in the regional round will also be tough and her school community wish her well.