The Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club was recently privileged to hear from two very able competitors in the Four-Way Test Speech Contest. Both entrants were from James A. Garfield High School and each gave a presentation worth of recognition.
Travis Gorby, freshman, was first up and got an immediate audience response by intoning, “O-H”…which got “I-O” right back at him. He went on to reveal a T-shirt with the logo of his favorite soccer team, which hailed from Barcelona. “The Hook”, as they say, was set.
He went on to disclose his athletic bona fides–as player, referee, teacher, fan–relating to the sport. His point was that all too often soccer “don’t get no respect” …certainly not as relevant to its growing popularity in the United States, its world-wide participation profile and its increased acceptance in interscholastic competition.
Shelby Handshue, senior, with plans to attend KSU majoring in biology, was up next with a focus on creativity, its many facets, its development, its practical manifestations and its importance to future advances in many areas –economics, education, medicine…even other fields which have not emerged for consideration yet.
These were certainly among the top competitors for this contest in recent times. Both were well-prepared and knowledgeable on their topics, staking out their positions an delivering their messages in an animated, confident manner. It was tough to choose the rankings.
Both received Rotary checks for their efforts. Travis will go the the district Four-Way Speech Contest to represent the local club. Shelby will be the alternate.
Spring roadside clean-up is coming. Sign up, if you’d like to help.
