The Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest is named to honor Rotary International Past President, District 5170 Past Governor Richard D. King in thanks for his many years of “Service Above Self” to District 5170 and to the rest of the Rotary world.
This year's theme is “Rotary Connects The World”
The Rotary Clubs of District 5170 sponsor the Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest with three goals in mind for the Club Members and each Speech Contest Participant:
- To increase the personal knowledge and awareness of the importance of being able to speak effectively before a group.
- To increase public knowledge of what Rotary is and does throughout the world, especially among young people. Through this knowledge, we hope that they will learn, as we have in the past, “He who serves best profits most.”
- To increase participation in the contest and to provide all high school contestants an opportunity to win prizes as top speaker, or runners-up, in District 5170.
(source: Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest Handbook)
Students may create their speech on any topic, however the speech must include a tie-in with the current Rotary theme and at least one element of the 4-day test:
Of the things I think, say and do:
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?