Youth Speaks Competition 2025

The stage was set, nerves gently shredded, lights were on and action! At Belmont Academy, Ayr Rotary held its annual Youth Speaks competition, showcasing young talented pupils. This year, Ayr Academy, Belmont Academy, Carrick Academy and Marr Collage all submitted entries, with mesmerizing topics.

Ayr Academy comprising Sofie, Diana and Cahla, addressed the topical, global phenomenon of Artificial Intelligence and how it will impact on all our lives, competently answering a challenging audience question.

Then Belmont Academy stepped onto their home turf stage and delivered an impassioned oration on Privilege, that special right, advantage or immunity granted or available to a particular group or person. Isla, Lola and Olivia all spoke with knowledgeable confidence.

The penultimate team from Marr College enabled Sam to open a monologue on his team’s presentation regarding prioritising charitable funds to exceptional students vs to a broad mediocre skill range of students. Johan and Joe completed their entertaining animated presentation.

In conclusion, patient Blair, Bane and Lexi from Carrick Academy launched into their fifteen minute politically compelling and intriguing subject of Relatability as Commodity in Modern Politics.

Judges Eileen Haddow, Esther Gordon and Paul Williams mulled over all the excellent and indeed vastly varying topics, the students’ preparation, their considered theories and delivery, concluding with a unanimous result. Belmont Academy was the outright winning entry.

Although, as Judge Paul stated at the end of the entertaining evening, everyone was a winner for simply having the confidence to speak in front of an audience.