High school students from across the region took part in the 2026 Rotary District 7430 Four Way Test Speech Contest, an annual program designed to promote public speaking, ethical reasoning, and leadership development among youth.
The contest begins at the local level, with Rotary Clubs partnering with area high schools to host individual competitions. Winners from those events advance to one of four regional contests—North, South, East, and West—before competing in the district-wide final.
Participating clubs in the West Region included Fleetwood, Kutztown, Muhlenberg, Spring Township Centennial, and West Reading-Wyomissing, representing several Berks County communities.
The top students from each region advanced to the Rotary District 7430 finals, held March 28. Each participant selected and delivered an original speech centered on a topic of their choice, with the goal of persuading the audience while reflecting Rotary’s Four Way Test. The guiding principles ask whether an idea is truthful, fair to all concerned, builds goodwill and better friendships, and is beneficial to everyone involved.
According to organizers, this year’s contest featured a strong group of competitors and a wide range of meaningful topics. Judges described the event as both challenging and inspiring.
The following students were recognized at the district level:
- 1st Place: Jazzmin Hollada (Upper Perk Rotary Club)
- 2nd Place: Xavier Gibson (Fleetwood Rotary Club)
- 3rd Place: Sriman Goli (Nazareth Rotary Club)
- Honorable Mention: Adrianna Pastorino (Horsham Rotary Club)
Committee Chair Shushma Patel thanked the volunteers who helped organize the event, stating, “Rotary District 7430 appreciates all the Rotarian volunteers who collaborated to make this contest a meaningful experience for youth. Together, we have created an event that celebrates the development of public speaking skills.”
Rotary District 7430 continues to offer a variety of youth-focused programs aimed at building leadership skills, encouraging community service, and fostering global citizenship among students.
