Each year in March or April, our club participates in the District-wide Four-Way Speech Contest.  Three high school students who are North Ridgeville residents compete at our club to move on to the District competition.  This year's event took place on Friday April 3, 2009.

The purpose of the speech is to solve an ethical problem using the principles of the Four-Way Test.  The Four-Way Test is one of the guiding principles for Rotarians of the things we think, say and do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Each student gives a 4-7 minute speech on any topic, issue, or situation.  The ethical problem to be solved should be something from the speaker's personal experience or general knowledge.  There are no restrictions regarding the choice of topic as long as it is not blatantly offensive.  In 2008 alone, we had topics ranging from the genocide in Darfur to euthanasia to the legalization of hemp.

Each of the three finalists receive cash prizes - $150 for the winner and $75 for the other two finalists.  At the District level the prizes are $500 for 1st place, $400 for 2nd place, and $300 for 3rd place.  In 2008, our club's winner (Meredith Collier) took 2nd place at District!

Below are some pictures from our five contestants this year who talked about a variety of topics including women's rights, standardized college entrance tests (e.g. ACT and SAT), childhood autism, self confidence and the media's focus on appearance, and violence!

Here are the five contestants from North Ridgeville High School who competed in the 2009 Four Way Test Speech Contest.  They are (from left to right) Meg Collier, Emily Wey, Michelle Bing, Tesla Brown, and Jessica Kidd.

As with anything the students do, none of it would be possible without the help of the wonderful faculty at North Ridgeville High School, in this case the speech teachers (they are bookending the students in the above picture), as well as the high school's Principal Patricia Bahr (she's hiding in the back row!).

While everyone is a winner on days like this, unfortunately only one could be chosen to go on to represent our club at the District Conference Four Way Test Speech Contest.  This year it was Emily Wey who is pictured above with North Ridgeville High School Principal Patrcia Bahr.

Below are some action photos of each of the contestants for 2009.