MORE than 120 people — students, teachers and families — braved heavy rain and wind to fill the hall at Mount Kelly Prep School to witness the local rounds for this year’s Rotary ‘Youth Speaks’ competition.

Fifteen junior teams competed and, after fine presentations and a tense wait for the judges’ verdict, the two winning teams were decided.

Lifton Community Primary School explained ‘Why every class should have a pet’ and Tavistock Community Primary School amused the audience with ‘Should dads be allowed to dance in public?’

The following day it was the turn of the intermediate and senior teams. Hosted at Mount Kelly main school library, Tavistock College’s team one was named the intermediate winners, proclaiming the virtues of ‘swimming with sharks’ and Tavistock College’s team three was close behind arguing for ‘Primary for the powerful’.

In a senior heat of very high standard, the winning team was Mount Kelly A, debating passionately the question ‘Is conflict an outdated solution?’

These teams now move forward onto the area rounds. Seniors and intermediates will compete on Tuesday, February 9 and juniors on February 23, with both heats to be held at Tavistock College.

Rotarian Trevor Williams, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Tavistock, said: ‘We would like to thank all the teams who took part for their excellent efforts, along with the parents and teachers who supported them. The standard of debate was just as high this year as in previous years and all of these young people are a credit to their schools and families. We wish the winning teams all the best in the next round.’