A student from Castlerea Community College has won the 2022 Soroptimist International Public Speaking competition which took place in Colaiste Chiarain on Wednesday last.
Leanne Vaughan, in Transition Year at Castlerea, won first prize in the Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition.
This competition has been running for over 45 years, and is open to girls in Transition year, and 5th and 6th years. Leanne Vaughan and her fellow Castlerea Community College pupil, Sarah Joyce (TY), were both outstanding on the night.
Taking part were eleven contestants from schools in Athlone, Kilcormac and Castlerea, who chose topics under the headings ‘Prosperity and Health’, ‘People and Human Rights’ and ‘Partnership and Empowerment’. All eleven girls delivered powerful, well researched and inspiring speeches. They were judged on content, delivery, humour and engagement with the audience – and certainly kept the latter entertained.
Leanne Vaughan spoke on Partnership and Empowerment of Women, while Sarah Joyce spoke on People and Human Rights.
After long and careful deliberation, the adjudicators awarded first prize to Leanne Vaughan and commended her for the exceptional capacity to engage with an audience and deliver an immensely powerful, enlightening speech.
The aim of the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition is to encourage women and girls to be the best version of themselves at every stage of their lives. We wish Leanne every success in the regional finals held in January.
