A PUPIL from Glastry College, Ballyhalbert, was declared the winner in the local heat of a public speaking competition.
Bangor Soroptimist International hosted the heat at Bangor Golf Club, with Kerry Grieve emerging as the winner. The Northern Ireland Soropostimt annual youth awards’ public speaking competition is open to girls from local schools aged 14 and 15. Its aim is to help girls develop their communication skills and to enhance their future studies and career opportunities. The competition always features a variety of topics that encourage young women and girls to engage with important societal issues.
This year, the chosen topics were: Planet and Environment, Partnership and Empowerment of Women, People and Human Rights, Prosperity and Health, Peace and Democracy.
The competition is a three-stage event with local, regional competitions leading to a national final, with the club heats held each November. The members of the Soroptimist Club in Bangor held their heat now in its 43rd year on Wednesday, November 26, at Bangor Golf Club. Soroptimist member Jenny Shaw liaises with local schools and this year entrants were from Glastry College, Bangor schools Glenlola Collegiate and St Columbanus College, and Regent House School, Newtownards.
The final of the competition is scheduled for February 2026.
