Four-Way Test Speech Contest
Information for Students and Teachers
Registration is required and is due by February 12, 2025.
Click here to submit your registration.
Thanks for your interest in the Four-Way Test speech contest. It is being offered to Sherwood High School students to encourage their expression of their views on a subject they are passionate about and to foster engagement with their peers and the public. Students will integrate the ethics of the Four-Way Test as the structure for their speeches.
The Four Way Test
"Of the things 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?”
The Rotary Club of Olney will host the speech contest. We will award at least four cash prizes, with the top prize being $750 (total cash prizes $1750). There is also a chance to be sponsored by the Olney Rotary Club to continue on to the district level where more prize money can be earned (total cash prizes of $3750). The contest will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Olney in Mid March with all speeches due by March 12, 2025.
Click here to submit your registration.
Following are a few resources you can visit for more information about the speech contest.
4 Way Test Speech Contest Overview
How to Prepare a Speech (speech limit for 2025 is 4-6 minutes)
Portions of the Speech/ Speech Basics
2024 Winning Speeches at the District Level
Backstory: From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of ethics is The Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as Rotary International president). The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways.
We are excited about your participation. If you are interested in receiving a mentor to help with your speech or if you have any questions about the contest please reach out to us via email at [email protected] or by phone at (240) 321-9485 Clubline.