A TEAM of three Year 8 and 9 girls from Bedford High have exceeded expectations by reaching the national "Youth Speaks" comeptition, organised by UK Rotary Clubs.

Rotary clubs are designed to make a positive difference in the community, working together through various initiatives that will benefit local people and keeping up to date with community projects or concerns.

Students at Bedford High have often performed well at the Youth Speaks competition, which celebrates young people on their public speaking abilities, debating skills and knowledge of a particular of a topic.

However, the pupils have truly excelled at this year's event, winning the District and Regional Finals and qualifying for the National Finals.

A particularly challenging year as the competition had to be done via Zoom, the Year 8 and 9 girls faced older competitors in their category as they spoke on their subject of choice, titled 'Actions Speak Louder Than Words!'.

Faith Barlow, performing as Chairperson, provided an insightful and intriguing introduction to the subject, which Abigail Fletcher then delivered professionally and eloquently. A vote of thanks was subsequently given by Meadow Armstrong, rounding off an amazing team effort.

With a passion for making a difference, Abigail’s heartfelt speech drew on her own personal experiences as she emphasised that “people are always making speeches about issues that affect us all, but they are usually still discussing the same matters five years later without having taken any real action".

Highlighting her own community work, she explained how she had recently completed a 10 mile walk to raise vital funds money for ‘The Bridge’, a local charity which was robbed.

Assistant Headteacher at Bedford, Gabriel Calwell, said: "Youngsters have lost out on many aspects over the past few years, but this competition has remained a unique enriching opportunity for our talented young people.

"It has been an exciting platform from which our students have been challenged to improve and flourish in their writing and speaking skills, it will inevitably serve them very well in their personal development and it has given so many a newly found confidence.

"The Rotary organisation should be thanked for involving and inspiring children throughout Britain with this excellent competition."