There was intense rivalry between schools as they lined up for this year's Public Speaking Competition arranged by Douglas Rotary Club, with the ultimate winners debating whether competition is ?good for young people' and providing a fascinating glimpse of a half term holiday spent – well, actually, in school.

The eventual winners in the senior section were Ballakermeen High School, with its team consisting of Hana Lawrie (speaker), Kiera Raleigh-Hammond (Chairperson) and Sophia Iankova (Vote of Thanks).

The junior section was won by Marown Primary School, with a team led by Toby Poole Wilson (speaker), introduced by Chloe Blackburn (Chairperson) and wound up by Louise Van Der Merwe (Vote of Thanks).

Also included in the annual face-off between ten junior schools and three senior schools Island-wide were presentations on ?If children ruled the world', ?Homework', ?My “would be” hobby', ?Why all teenagers should have Facebook' and ?Why is Lego so popular and are we using it to its best advantage?'.

The junior competition, arranged by Douglas Rotary Club's Youth Committee in partnership with the Department of Education and Children, took place at Arbory School on Monday, 14th March, while the senior competition was three days later on Thursday,
17th March, at King William's College.

Through the competition local schools are encouraged to give teams of young people the chance to stand up and speak in front of a live audience.

Andrew Swithinbank, Douglas Rotary Club's organiser, said: “We are delighted to be able to run this competition because of the huge opportunities it provides for Island youngsters.”

Photo - Girl power at Ballakermeen defeats the opposition in the senior leg of this year's Public Speaking Competition organised by Douglas Rotary Club. Left to right, Hana Lawrie (speaker), Kiera Raleigh-Hammond (Chairperson) and Sophia Iankova (Vote of thanks) with the President of Douglas Rotary Club, Kevin Kneen.