THREE teams of Tavistock College students competed in the Rotary Youth Speaks District Final at Bodmin College at the beginning of March.

The teams achieved huge success taking both first and second place in the senior competition.

The senior champions were Freya Chambers (chairperson), Jed Coiley (proposer of vote of thanks) and Joe Way (main speaker), who delivered an engaging and informative presentation on 'Genetic Medicine'.

Teacher Sally Hubbard, head of year 7, said the judges considered them 'outstanding' and 'exceptional' and commented on their ability to speak with confidence.

'The audiences greatly enjoyed their speeches and hung on their every word,' said Mrs Hubbard.

Second place in the senior competition also went to Tavistock College, with a novice team drawn from year 10. The senior category covers years 10 to 13.

Mrs Hubbard said: 'This was a wonderful result for them in their first year.'

Lilly Hillson (chair), Jasmine Rice (proposer of vote of thanks) and Emily Baker-Thurston (main speaker) gave a very entertaining and comical speech about whether technology and text language is eroding the English language.

Individual awards were given for best speaker, best chairperson and best proposer and they were all won by the senior team — Freya, Jed and Joe.

Mrs Hubbard said: 'It is very rare for all individual awards to go to one team and shows the standard of their delivery and the regard in which they were held by the judges.'

Tavistock College also took second place in the intermediate category. Elysia Hix (chair), Emma Sampson (proposer of vote of thanks) and Molly Bolding (main speaker) delivered a presentation on whether or not we will become a cashless society 'From Cows to Cheques to Credit Cards'.

The judges commented on the wealth of information included. Emma Sampson was delighted to win the individual award on best proposer of the best vote of thanks.

The senior champions now proceed to the regional final, one step away from the national final.

The regional final will be held in the Drama Theatre at College of St Mark and St John on March 23.