Youngsters show they aren't lost for words (From Messenger Newspapers)

Altrincham Garrick hosts Trafford Schools Public Speaking Competition

1:40pm Sunday 1st July 2012 in News

THE final of the first Trafford Schools Public Speaking Competition took place at Altrincham Garrick.

Thirteen pupils from 10 schools competed in three categories to win Amazon tokens for themselves and cheques for their schools.

The event was organised by Neil Myerson LLP as part of the firm’s 30th anniversary and Ana Roslan of Altrincham Girls’ Grammar School in association with the Garrick Theatre.

The judges, Neil Myerson, Arif Ansari of BBC North West Tonight and Coronation Street’s Greg Wood found it hard to judge such high quality presentations on subjects from ‘families’ to ‘footballers’ wages’. They asked each speaker questions.

The youngest winner, Hussain Al-Hilali, aged 11, from Ruskin Drive, Sale, a pupil of St. Mary’s C.E Primary, spoke of the pros and cons of video games.

This was Hussain’s second attempt at public speaking. Although born here he had already spoken in Arabic.

Hussain said: “I was over the moon when I won.”

Mia Plummer, aged 13, from Stretford Grammar School, was equally pleased to have clinched the year seven to eight category with her talk about teenagers. Mia, from Woodhill Drive, Prestwich, had researched the effects of adolescence on the brain. She said “I’d like to speak again. I have gained a lot of confidence.”

Year nine to 10 winner, 15-year-old Ellie Reagan from Barlow Road, Stretford, a pupil of Blessed Thomas Holford, Altrincham who spoke about education, said: “My nervousness just went away.”

Ellie would like to become a barrister.

Ana Roslan said after the event on June 27: “The schools are already asking about next year’s competition.”

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