Peter Martin, president of Newport Rotary Club stands with finalists of this year's annual Four-Way Speech Contest. From left to right are Victoria Burroughs, a junior who placed third; Kaitlin Carroll, a junior who placed second; senior Olivia Rasmussen, winner of this year's event, and Alex Whipple, a senior who placed fourth. (Courtesy of Newport Rotary Club)
Peter Martin, president of Newport Rotary Club stands with finalists of this year's annual Four-Way Speech Contest. From left to right are Victoria Burroughs, a junior who placed third; Kaitlin Carroll, a junior who placed second; senior Olivia Rasmussen, winner of this year's event, and Alex Whipple, a senior who placed fourth. (Courtesy of Newport Rotary Club) Credit: —Courtesy photograph

Newport Student Advances to Semi-Finals of Rotary Speaking Contest

Newport — Olivia Rasmussen, a senior at Newport Middle High School, was named first place winner in Newport Rotary Club’s Annual Four Way Speech Contest, which encourages students to develop their public speaking skills by presenting on a topic while incorporating the Rotary 4 Way Test, answering the questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

“These presentations are one of our members’ favorite programs each year. Students are extremely well prepared, have thoughtful and meaningful presentations, and are wonderful representatives of their school,” Peter Martin, Newport Rotary Club’s president, said in a news release.

Rasmussen will now advance to the Rotary District’s semi-finals, which will be held in Henniker on Sunday, May 6. The winner at that level will advance to the finals which will be held in Burlington in early June.

All seniors and honor students from the junior class participated in the initial competition in Newport, with outside judging narrowing the field to the final four contestants. Kaitlin Carroll placed second, Victoria Burroughs placed third and Alex Whipple placed fourth. Each of the four finalists received a signed certificate and cash award from Newport Rotary Club.