The local heat of the annual Soroptimist Ireland girl’s public speaking competition recently took place at Our Lady’s Bower secondary school.
Miriam Nally, Public Speaking Convenor for the Athlone Soroptimist Club hosted the occasion as MC, extending a warm welcome to all, in particular the students partaking in the competition and their co-ordinating teachers.
The competition is open to senior cycle girls in secondary schools in Athlone and its hinterland.
The aim of the competition is to encourage young girls to develop skills to speak effectively, articulately and with clarity. The outcome of the competition is to improve self-confidence and personality which in turn will enhance career opportunities.
It is over 40 years since the public speaking competition was first held and the Athlone club have been involved from the outset, proudly supporting a few national title winners over the years.
Twelve students representing seven secondary schools - Athlone, Birr, Roscommon and Castlerea - participated in this year’s event which was adjudicated by Mr. Arthur Geraghty, Ms. Jo Moore and Soroptimist member Anne McGlynn.
After much deliberation, the two girls selected to represent the Athlone club at the regional final to be held in Drogheda in early 2024 were Bonnie Moylette representing Athlone Community College and Keela Plunkett representing Coláiste Chiaráin. Orlaith Farrell from Our Lady’s Bower was selected as a reserve.
The club are very grateful to Stephen Reynolds – the Athlone Bookshop, Lloyds Lane, Athlone, who kindly sponsored the prizes for the two qualifiers.
Soroptimists Club president Annette Buckley together with all the members wishes to extend to the qualifiers the very best of luck in the regional final.
