HHS student Jillian Eltzroth wins 2013 Rotary speech contest

Hillsboro High School student Jillian Eltzroth won the 2013 Hillsboro Rotary Club Four-Way Speech Contest, Tuesday, March 12.

Eltzroth's topic centered around religion in schools and constitutional rights in a secular world.

Hillsboro High School student Michaela Chaney was the second-place winner, and Fairfield sophomore Caleb Huff placed third.

Judges were Angela Shepard, Dr. Nicole Roades and Rory Ryan.

Hillsboro Rotary Club President Dr. Phillip Burwinkel previously announced the guidelines for the Hillsboro Rotary Club "Four-Way Speech Contest."

The rules of competition are as follows:

• Topic: Leadership, Service and the Four-Way Test. The contestant must apply the Rotary Four-Way Test to the concepts of leadership, service to others and life experience. The Rotary Four-Way Speech Test is as follows:

- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

• Delivery: The speech is to be presented from memory without the aid of podium, notes, displays or props.

• Length: The speech must be no less than four minutes and no more than six minutes. Any speech that falls outside either of these limits will be disqualified.

• Content: The speech given by each contestant must be the work of the contestant alone. No more than 75 words may be quoted.

Hillsboro and Fairfield High School winners will receive first, $200; second, $50. Fairfield High School will participate in 2013, while Lynchburg-Clay will be invited to participate in 2014 and Whiteoak in 2015, in addition to Hillsboro each year. Interested sophomores, juniors and seniors from these schools should contact their guidance counselor or high school principal for more information.

On March 12, each school winner will compete in the Hillsboro Rotary Club contest for an additional first-place cash award of $300.

The Hillsboro Rotary Club winner will then have the opportunity to compete in the district competition which will be held on Sunday, April 7 at Wittenberg University, Springfield for additional price amounts of first, $400; second, $300; third, $200; and fourth, $100.

Speech winners will also be given incremental consideration for the HIllsboro Rotary's Annual High School Senior Scholarship.

The Hillsboro Rotary Club was founded in October 1936. The local club is a member of Rotary International, with its roots in Evanston, Ill.