2018 Four-Way Speech Contest Winners

April 17, 2018

Murrieta Rotary Announces Four-Way Speech Contest Winners

Great Oak High School freshman Olivia Chmiel, 14, took the top prize in the Rotary Club of Murrieta’s Four-Way Test Speech Contest.  With the first place, Chmiel was awarded $350 and the opportunity to compete in the Rotary District 5330 competition later this month.  The Murrieta contest was held April 11 at the Murrieta Valley Unified School District headquarters.

In second place was Brynne Paiva, a 14-year-old freshman at Murrieta Valley High School, while third place went to Jack Agopian, a freshman at Murrieta Valley High School.  The second place award was $250 and third, $150.  A novice award went to Michelle Griffith, 15, and earned the Great Oak High School ninth grader $50.

The Rotary Four-Way Test, which was created in the early 1930s, has been used by businesses, industry, government groups, civic organizations, schools and colleges. An ethical tenet in today’s culture, it states:  Of the things that we think, say or 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?

Murrieta Rotary’s Four- Way Speech Contest winners were (from left) Brynne Paiva, Olivia Chmiel, Jack Agopian and Michelle Griffith.

 
Four-Way Test Speech contestants addressed topics of current interest and importance, and were asked to use concepts from the Four-Way Test as methods of discussion or analysis in the body of the speech. Chmiel spoke on indifference and the dangers it poses.

“We are so pleased to have had such a fine group of young people addressing topics and incorporating the Four Way Test in their comments,” said Marsha Hall Brown, contest chair. “Seven students spoke and with the exception of one, they were all freshmen. That is quite remarkable and encouraging.

As the first place winner, Chmiel will advance to the District 5330 competition to be held April 28 in Riverside.