Duo chosen as Soroptimist public speaking qualifiers
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Back row, from left: Sheila Flaherty (Soroptimist), Bernie Egan (Soroptimist), Ruth Cunningham (Convent of Mercy, Roscommon); Faye Reynolds (Convent of Mercy, Roscommon), Summer Rose (Castlerea Community School), Aine Gilhooly (Colaiste Chiarain, Athlone), Alena Healy Loyd (Castlerea Community School, Heather McDermott (Athlone Community College), Anne Finnegan (Soroptimist).Front row: Dorothy Obikoya (Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone), Miriam Nally (Event MC, Soroptimist), Bonnie Moylette (qualifier, Athlone Community College), Stephen Reynolds (Sponsor, The Athlone Bookshop), Keela Plunkett (Qualifier, Colaiste Chiarain, Athlone), Orlaith Farrell (Reserve, Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone), Sinead Gleeson (Colaiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac) and Jiani Guinan (Colaiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac).Image 2 of 2
Stephen Reynolds (Sponsor, The Athlone Bookshop); Bonnie Moylette (Qualifier, Athlone Community College); Orlaith Farrell (Reserve, Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone); Keela Plunkett (Qualifier, Colaiste Chiarain, Athlone) and Miriam Nally (Event MC, Soroptimist).The local heat of the annual Soroptimist Ireland girls public speaking competition was held on Wednesday night, November 29. Our Lady’s Bower secondary school kindly hosted this year’s event and Miriam Nally, Public Speaking Convenor for the club, was MC. She extended a warm welcome to all, in particular the students partaking in the competition and their coordinating teachers. The competition is open to senior cycle young girls in secondary schools in Athlone and its hinterland. The aim of the competition is to encourage young girls to develop skills to speak effectively, articulately and with clarity. The outcome of the competition is to improve self-confidence and personality which in turn will enhance career opportunities. It is over 40 years since the first public speaking competition was held and the Athlone club have been involved from the outset, proudly supporting a few National title winners over the years.
Twelve students representing seven secondary schools from Birr, Roscommon, Castlerea and Athlone participated at this year’s event which was adjudicated by Arthur Geraghty, Jo Moore and Soroptimist member Anne McGlynn.
After much deliberation, the two girls selected to represent the Athlone club at the regional final to be held in Drogheda in early 2024 are Bonnie Moylette representing Athlone Community College and Keela Plunkett representing Coláiste Chiaráin. Orlaith Farrell from Our Lady’s Bower was selected as a reserve. The club is very grateful to Stephen Reynolds – The Athlone Bookshop, Lloyds Lane, Athlone, who kindly sponsored the prizes for the two qualifiers. Soroptimists Club president Annette Buckley together with all the members wishes to extend to the qualifiers the very best of luck in the Regional Final.