The 2024 Four Way Speech Competition was held yesterday, and was an amazing event, as always.
The Mesquite Rotary Club hosted its annual "Four Way Test" Speech Contest at the Mesquite ISD David Belt Professional Development Center on April 16th. Contestants from Mesquite I.S.D. high schools participated in the event. Each student gave a five-to-seven-minute original speech about applying the Rotary Four Way Test in our everyday relationships with other people and students.
The simple, four-question ethical test of all that we say and do was developed in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, who became the 1954-55 Rotary International President. The questions are, "Is it the truth?"; "Is it fair to all concerned?"; "Will it build goodwill and better friendships?"; and "Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"
Taking first place in the contest was Dayana Rangel of Poteet High School. Samantha Wade of Mesquite High School took second place, and the third place winner was Leilani Ramos of West Mesquite High School. The winners received prizes of $250, $150, and $100. Also participating in the local contest were Nuvia Ramirez of North Mesquite High School, and Sarah Smith of John Horn High School. The Rotary contest committee chair was Dr. LaDonna Gulley.
The local winner will now go on to compete in the Rotary District 5810 Four Way Test Speech Contest, contending for a top prize of $750. That will be held at the Westwood School’s Black Box Theatre on Saturday, May 4th.