Wichita Falls Rotary Club North in partnership with the Rotary Club of Southwest Wichita Falls is excited to announce the 2023 Rotary Four-Way Speech Contest, and we’re inviting all high school students to participate!
Our local clubs will award a generous cash prize scholarship of $1,000 for 1st place; $500 for 2nd place; and $250 for 3rd place winners. The top three contestants will also advance to compete at the regional level, with opportunity to win additional scholarship prizes.
Please help us identify students who could benefit by participating in this competition. There’s no entry fee. All that’s required is a commitment to put forth an effort to compose and deliver a 5-minute speech surrounding the topic of Rotary’s “Four-Way Test”, which asks the following:
Of the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to All Concerned?
3. Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?
4. Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?
2. Is it Fair to All Concerned?
3. Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?
4. Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?
Rotary is a worldwide civic and philanthropic organization that supports local and international programs that promote peace, fight diseases, provide health education, support literacy, and assist local economies. The goals of the contest are to acquaint the community with the principles of the Rotary Four-Way Test and to provide participants the opportunity to gain experience and confidence from speaking publicly.
The prizes are awarded to recognize and encourage the outstanding accomplishments of youth in our community.
Students will be mentored and coached by local Rotarians who will provide guidance on the development of the speech and its delivery. Participants will be asked to attend a minimum of two mentoring sessions. We will be holding an orientation meeting to provide contestants, parents and Rotarians with the goals and expectations of the contest. This orientation will take place on Tuesday, February 14 at 6:00 pm at the Edgemere Church of Christ located at 4728 Neta Lane in Wichita Falls. Weekly mentoring / sign-up session are offered at the same location on Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM beginning February 21st and will continue until the week of the event.
The contest date has been set for Saturday, April 1st (this is not an April Fools joke). It will begin with a meet-and-greet at 6:30 pm and the competition program begins at 7:00 PM. The top three winners of the local competition must commit to compete in one of the two regional contests which are currently scheduled for April 15th and April 22nd in the Dallas / Ft Worth area.
It’s important that participants attend the orientation and as many mentoring sessions as necessary to prepare their presentation. For more information, a Google search of “Rotary 5790 Four Way Speech Contest” and numerous YouTube videos provide information about what is expected.
Click here for a copy of letter is that includes the contest rules and two documents that must be completed and returned before a student can compete in either the local or regional Four Way Speech Contest event. The letter includes a Four Way Speech Contest Participation form and Photography Consent form may be completed and signed electronically using a PDF reader, or by printing and legibly completing with ink.
Please ask interested students to read and sign the forms and return to Lee Gunter (gunter.lee@gmail.com) or hand deliver during one of the mentoring meetings.
Click switch below
To download Letter
and all forms
Thank you for your help spreading the word, and we look forward to a great event!
Clint Wood
Wichita Falls Rotary North Club
940-631-6632 cwood@nts-online.net
Lee Gunter
Rotary Club of Southwest
214-668-3708 gunter.lee@gmail.com
Here are the key dates:
Date | Time | Event | Location |
14-Feb | 6-6:45pm | Kick-off/Orientation | All events will take place at: Edgemere Church of Christ 4728 Neta Ln Wichita Falls, TX 76302 |
21-Feb | 6-8pm | Weekly Mentoring Sessions* *Participants are strongly encouraged to meet with their mentor for coaching at least two times before the contest date. The venue is available from 6-8pm each Tuesday, though it is not expected that mentoring sessions last the full two-hours. | |
28-Feb | 6-8pm | ||
7-Mar | 6-8pm | ||
14-Mar | 6-8pm | ||
21-Mar | 6-8pm | ||
28-Mar | 6-8pm | ||
1-Apr | 6:30-8pm | Contest |
Jean Hall
Rotary Club of Southwest Wichita Falls
jhall@bbbstx.org