Mayo students to compete for Soroptimist International public speaking regional crown

The Castlebar Soroptimist International public speaking local competition for girls took place at Castlebar Tennis Club.

There was an impressive turnout of participants from a large number of post-primary schools in the county.

Schools that participated included Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford, St. Joseph’s, Castlebar, Santa Maria College, Louisburgh, Ballyhaunis Community School, Balla Secondary School and Mount St. Michael, Claremorris.

Students from these schools included Holly McNulty, Ciara Murray, Sorcha Patten, Emma Skilton, Elenor O’Toole, Hannah McNually, Isabelle Henry, Grace loftus, Maria Adorno, Rebecca Hans, Aoibheann Mangan, Finnja Bayer and Sioda Monaghan.

Topics specified for the competitors’ speeches were based on the programme areas of Soroptimism: education, environment, economic and social development, health, human rights, the status of women and international goodwill and understanding.

Castlebar Soroptimist International president Ann Caulfield paid tribute to all of the speakers on the day and complimented the girls on the research which they had carried out on their topics and also their confidence in delivering the speeches.

She thanked all of the teachers for supporting their students and also parents and families and for attending the event.

Soroptimist Phyllis Carney, convener of the Public Speaking Competition, thanked the adjudicators, timekeepers and Soroptimist members for giving of their time and expertise on the day.

She expressed a special word of thanks to Paul Gavin and the Castlebar Tennis Club for the use of the venue.

Two speakers are today (Saturday) taking part in the regional finals in Castlebar.

They are Aoibheann Mangan, Mount St. Michael Secondary School, Claremorris, and Emma Skilton, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Castlebar.