Crickhowell Rotary Annual Youth Speaks Competition

We were delighted to hold our annual Youth Speaks Competition at Crickhowell High School during November 2025. This event is designed to help develop pupils essential presentation and debating skills for their future working lives.

Competitors were assessed on clear enunciation, confident yet relaxed delivery, strong posture and stance, as well as their ability to craft relevant arguments, demonstrate courtesy and firmness, show subject knowledge and actively engage the audience.

Under the expert guidance of Harry Bowsher, English Language Teacher, nine teams of three pupils took part. The enthusiasm, preparation and high level of debating demonstrated made this year’s event one of the strongest in recent memory. The standard was so impressive the judges found it exceptionally difficult to reach a decision.

 

Topics ranged from “Arranged marriages”, “Banning of homework “, “Should activists be prosecuted” as well as several compelling debates on Artificial Intelligence. Three teams chose AI – a subject that offered particularly insightful and up-to-date perspectives, especially appreciated by the Rotary members in the audience.

WINNING TEAM – AI DEBATE

Chair – Olivia Iskra

Proposer – Bella Bainton

Opposer – Lyra Kaur

 

Both Olivia and Bella won the Best Individual Performance joined by Samuel Heath, who impressed with his outstanding opposition speech on the proposition “Should the police be armed?”

 

Overall the competition was a truly inspiring showcase of the talent, confidence and capability of Crickhowell High School pupils. It was a wonderful event that celebrated critical thinking, articulate communication and the bright futures of all who took part.