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2016/2017 Public Speaking Competition

The Northern Ireland Final was held on Saturday 4th February 2017 in Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Rd, Hillsborough, County Down BT26 6AR at 12 noon.   The adjudicators were:

  • Anita Robinson – Broadcaster and Irish News Columnist – Chair.
  • Tina McKenzie – Managing Director of Staffline Ireland – Director N Ireland Recruitment and Employment Confederation, European Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day – Tina spoke to the young competitors at the end of the event on preparing for work interviews.
  • Maria Finnegan – General Practitioner and Member of SI Ballinasloe.  Maria is currently National Association President,ROI.  Maria was the Soroptimist representative on the judging panel.

Congratulations to all the competitors who participated in the event.  The winners are as follows:-

1st Prize:  Beth Crane, Wallace High School, and representing SI Lisburn & District.  Beth’s topic was: “Education is not the filling of the pail but the lighting of a fire” – W B Yates.

2nd Prize:  Courtney Weir, Rainey Endowed School, and representing SI Ballymoney & District.  Courtney’s topic was:  “Education is not the filling of the pail but the lighting of a fire” – W B Yates.

3rd Prize:  Rhiann McCurdy, Slemish College, and representing SI Ballymena.  Rhiann’s topic was:  Living to 100 – good or bad?

Photographs to follow.

Please click on the links to view information about the 35th Annual Youth Public Speaking Competition:

School Information Leaflet 2016-7

Group photograph with President Mary, Maurgeen Maguire and Adjudicators