St Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge; Niamh Sheridan, deputy principal, Juliet Bernard, Alannah McCauley, Andrea Coleman, Aoibhinn Hanley, Anna Maloney and Lauren Roca, with Niamh Ledwith, president Soroptimists, Mullingar.

St Joseph’s students excel in Soroptimist Public Speaking

Two local teams competed for three top spots in the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition, held last week in Mullingar. They were St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, and Loreto College Mullingar, and all of the girls spoke brilliantly and made heartfelt speeches about topics that were obviously close to their hearts.

The audience were educated, challenged and moved by their content and the St Joseph’s team were delighted when three of their students, Juliet Bernard, Lauren Roca and Aoibhinn Hanley, came first, second and third respectively.

The girls will represent Westmeath and the midlands in the next round of the competition, in January.

Well done also to Alannah McCauley, Andrea Coleman and Anna Maloney from St Joseph’s, who also spoke beautifully and with real polish and finesse, and to Kiera Nooney, Bianca Asandoae and Sarah Kirwan from Loreto College, who greatly impressed with their passionate and informative speeches delivered with articulation, heart and true professionalism.

Well done to the Soroptimist ladies for organising the local round of the competition and for organising such an enjoyable event. They wish the St Joseph’s team success and will be following their path to the semi-finals.