Pupils prove it’s good to talk

Organisers hailed it as a “total success once again”, with six schools taking part - Kirkintilloch High School, St Ninians High School, Kilsyth Academy, Cumbernauld Academy, St Maurice’s High School and, from Glasgow, Whitehill Secondary School.

There were four entries for the Junior Section and six entries for the Senior Competition.

The standard of speeches was high with the pupils delivering speeches in a variety of interesting and thought provoking subjects. The speeches were evaluated by George Dunwoody, one of the Association of Speakers Clubs top Evaluators.

The winner of the Junior Section was Sarah Devlin from the new Cumbernauld Academy with a speech entitled ‘Arms - The Underappreciated Limbs’.

Runner-up was Ross Chalmers, of Kilsyth Academy, with a speech titled ‘The Follow Through’.

The Senior Section was won by Reece McKenzie, of Kirkintilloch High, with a speech entitled ‘Football - Increasing Wages – Decreasing Passion’.

Runner-up was Kenneth Grant, of St Maurice’s High School, with the speech ‘Why the X-factor is a Negative Force within the British Music Industry’.

The awards were presented by the UK President of the Association of Speakers Clubs, of which Kirkintilloch Speakers Club is a prominent member. The President this year is former head teacher of chemistry Margaret Robertson, from Greenock. President Jackie Stewart stated it was an honour to be able to have her present as she has to travel all around the UK in her new role.

There was an additional award this year to the winners. Myra Gaston wife of former president of the Speakers Club, Lex Gaston, a prominent businessman in East Dunbartonshire, presented an award to both winners in memory of Lex.

The organiser of the event for the past seven years, Iain Ross, rounded off the evening with the ‘Vote of Thanks’ to all who contributed and helped make the event such a success.