The Rotary Club of Southwest Wichita Falls in partnership with the Wichita Falls Rotary Club North is excited to announce the 2023 Rotary Four-Way Speech Contest, and we’re inviting all high school students to participate!
Our local Rotary clubs award generous cash scholarships of $1,000 for 1st place; $500 for 2nd place; and $250 for 3rd place winners. The top three contestants also advance to regional competition, with the opportunity for additional scholarship prizes. Please help identify students who could benefit by participating in this competition.
In 2019, Grace Minter competed in our 4-Way Test Speech Contest, winning local and regionally. In 2023 Grace will be the Master of Ceremonies for our event. Listen to Grace share why this contest is important.
Grace completed her undergraduate degree in May 2022. Today, Grace is Exec Dir of a NE Oklahoma nonprofit, and working towards her graduate degrees . . . and she'll be a Rotarian soon enough!
There’s no entry fee. All that’s required is a commitment to put forth an effort to compose and deliver a 5-minute speech surrounding the topic of Rotary’s “Four-Way Test," which asks the following:
Of the things we think, say, or do:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to All Concerned?
3. Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?
4. Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?
Rotary is a worldwide civic and philanthropic organization that supports local and international programs that promote peace, fight diseases, provide health education, support literacy, and assist local economies. The goals of the contest are to acquaint the community with the principles of the Rotary Four-Way Test and to provide participants the opportunity to gain experience and confidence from speaking publicly.
The prizes are awarded to recognize and encourage the outstanding accomplishments of youth in our community.
Students will be mentored and coached by local Rotarians who will provide guidance on the development of the speech and its delivery. Participants will be asked to attend a minimum of two mentoring sessions.
We will be holding an orientation meeting to provide contestants, parents, and Rotarians with the goals and expectations of the contest. This orientation will take place on Tuesday, February 14 at 6:00 pm at the Edgemere Church of Christ located at 4728 Neta Lane in Wichita Falls. Weekly mentoring / sign-up sessions are offered at the same location on Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM beginning February 21st and will continue until the week of the event.
The contest date has been set for Saturday, April 1st (this is not an April Fool's joke). It will begin with a meet-and-greet at 6:30 pm and the competition program begins at 7:00 PM. The top three winners of the local competition must commit to compete in one of the two regional contests which are currently scheduled for April 15th and April 22nd in the Dallas / Ft Worth area.
It’s important that participants attend the orientation and as many mentoring sessions as necessary to prepare their presentation. For more information, a Google search of “Rotary 5790 Four Way Speech Contest” and numerous YouTube videos provide information about what is expected.
Click here for a copy of the letter that includes contest rules and two documents that must be completed and returned before a student can compete in either the local or regional Four Way Speech Contest event. The letter includes a Four Way Speech Contest Participation form and Photography Consent form may be completed and signed electronically using a PDF reader, or by printing and legibly completing with ink.
Please ask interested students to read and sign the forms and return by
Clicking submit and add your signed attachments then email,
Or hand delivering during one of the mentoring meetings.
Thank you for your help spreading the word, and we look forward to a great event!
Rotary Club of Southwest Wichita Falls Rotary North Club
Rotary Club of Wichita Falls North
Here are the key dates:
Date | Time | Event | Location |
14-Feb | 6-6:45 pm | Kick-off/Orientation | All events will take place at: Edgemere Church of Christ 4728 Neta Ln Wichita Falls, TX 76302 |
21-Feb | 6-8 pm | Weekly Mentoring Sessions* *Participants are strongly encouraged to meet with their mentor for coaching at least two times before the contest date. The venue is available from 6-8 pm each Tuesday, though it is not expected that mentoring sessions last the full two hours. | |
28-Feb | 6-8 pm | ||
7-Mar | 6-8 pm | ||
14-Mar | 6-8 pm | ||
21-Mar | 6-8 pm | ||
28-Mar | 6-8 pm | ||
1-Apr | 6:30-8pm | Contest |