Elyria Catholic High School proudly announces that Lucia Rothgery '24 received 1st Place in the Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest held on Saturday, April 27. A total of 17 students participated in the annual Rotary District 6600 speech contest. Many more students participated at club level competitions and these 17 students were advanced to the next level of competition to present their 5 to 7 minute speeches to peers and Rotarians. Each speech applies the Four-Way Test to an everyday decision, situation, or relationship: 1) Is it the Truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? and 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
These students addressed many widely discussed topics, such as organ donation, international oppression, the ethics of AI, mental health support, and college sports commercialization. All of the students were commended for their bravery and their passion for wanting to make the world a better place. The three winners were 1st - Lucia Rothgery, Elyria Rotary Club and Elyria Catholic High School ("period poverty"), 2nd - Brandon Polak, Mansfield Rotary Club and Mansfield Senior High (youth engagement in civics and the government), and 3rd - Clayton Priest, Van Wert Rotary Club, Lincolnview Senior High (the power of speeches in history). Lucia received the 1st place prize award of $1,000.
Congratulations to Christian Begalla '24 (truthful & ethical media), who also participated in the local competition with Lucia on February 6 in Elyria. Our Panthers prowl with pride!