Students participate in Rotary speech contest

Emilia Perez-Hermenegildo and Emily Mabe, both 12th graders at West Stokes High School, and Kaylee DiJohn, a 10th grader at Stokes Early College High School, were among 50 high school students from the Piedmont who competed in the 2024 Rotary District 7690 Four-Way Test Speech Contest held on the campus of Randolph Community College in Asheboro, North Carolina, on February 24, 2024.

Each young lady wrote and delivered a six-minute persuasive talk on the importance of ethical behavior. They encouraged their peers and adults to develop ethical standards by applying the following the Rotary International Four-Way Test. The test suggests that one consider the following four questions in all decisions and actions: “Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

The Four-Way Test was developed in the early 20th Century by Herbert T. Taylor, a member of the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, and outstanding businessman who was known for his action-oriented approach to business, faith and moral principles. He wrote and lived by the Four-Way Test as he successfully led the Jewel Tea Company and the Club Aluminum Corporation.

King Rotarians, along with Rotarians all over the world, ascribe to the Four-Way Test; and the King Club strives to instill principles of the test in youth in Stokes County through sponsorship of Interact Clubs, the Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference. Currently, West Stokes and Stokes Early College High School each offer an Interact Club to students in grades 9-12; and students in all Stokes County High Schools have the opportunity to participate in the speech contest and leadership conference. The Rotary Club of King meets each Thursday from 7-8 a.m. at P.B. Clark’s Family Restaurant. Guests are welcome to attend without a formal invitation or prior notice.