THE JUNIOR SPEECH TROPHY COMPETITION
- from Phoenix 1964 [published December 1964]
This year the finals of the Junior Speech Trophy Competition were held in front of the whole school; nevertheless, a high standard was reached by the eight finalists, Carol Dyke, Rosemary Hasker, Rita Osborne, Janet Rogers, Ann White, Fena, Palmer and Randall.
Speaking on “Our wise elders”, Carol Dyke gave an interesting criticism of the older generation. She spoke clearly and fluently, her speech was well constructed, her material all relevant and she was a deserving winner of the trophy. Two other speakers chose the same subject: Janet Rogers spoke fairly well and was the only First Former amongst the finalists. If she can improve on the content of her speeches and show a more subjective attitude to the topic she is treating, she should do well in future years. Ann White, who also chose this subject, spoke confidently. Her good presentation of the speech and fluent, expressive speaking, which compensated for material of rather low intellectual quality, gained her third place in the competition.
Fena gave a humorous speech on “Here’s hoping” and put it over well but it was unfortunate that he offered no practical suggestions on the reform of the transport system (about which he seemed to have an obsession) and simply fired at the audience a host of pedestrian-biased opinions about cars, zebra crossings and public transport, with very few original ideas.
The two speakers who chose the subject “The Artist” showed us completely different views of the subject. It was unfortunate that Randall spoke on an aspect of art which he understood little about. His material was intelligently phrased and well spoken, and speaking on a different subject he might have done very well. In sharp contrast Rosemary Hasker treated this subject in the widest possible sense and by depicting a world which is completely practical, showed us bow necessary the artist, musician and architect are not only to make life pleasant but to make it bearable. The speech was fluent and well presented and she deserved to win second place.
Palmer made a good beginning on the subject “Gambling” but his confidence seemed to peter out after a while and his voice became quieter and more hesitant.
Under the title “The burning question” Rita Osborne gave some prejudiced views on coloured immigrants (after stating at the beginning of the speech that she was not prejudiced). She spoke with conviction towards the end of her speech but could have made better points to justify her opinion.
We congratulate Carol Dyke on her fine achievement of gaining first place against such high competition and thus winning the trophy presented to us last year by the Parents’ Association.
P.S. and J.W. U. VI. A.