The first round of the Helston Rotary Club's annual Youth Speaks competition took place at Helston Community College last week.

Teams took part in both the intermediate and senior sections of the competition and speech topics ranged from the need to protect our natural environment to the undeniable merits of the Cornish pasty. All the teams delivered "excellent performances" and gave the audience a great deal to think about.

The students involved were: Rachel Corness, Danielle and Emily Combellack in year seven; Charlotte King, Ryan Williams and Rhiannon Jones in year nine; Shannon Peel, Megan Parker and Charlotte Laity and Will Kitto, Ethan Bray and Charlie Railton in year ten and Rosa Higgs, Milly Hayton and Holly Bardell in year 13.

The winners of the intermediate section were: Charlotte King, chairperson; Ryan Williams, speaker, and Rhiannon Jones, who gave the vote of thanks. Their speech was entitled “Scone or Scone? Stereotyping from Speech.”

The winners of the senior section were Holly Bardell, chairperson; Rosa Higgs, speaker; and Milly Hayton, vote of thanks, with their speech about the merits of the National Health Service.

Both teams will perform again against students from across the west of the country at Penryn College on February 23 at 4.30pm.