Students at Valley Regional High School (VRHS) have tested their mettle in almost every type of speech contest—including state debates, mock trials, model UN, and the National Oratorical Contest—but they’ve never participated in a speech contest like the one coming up on Saturday, Feb. 24 in Deep River: the Four-Way Test Speech Contest.

“It’s unlike anything we do,” said Barbara Nidzgorski, the speech and debate coach at VRHS (she’s known locally as Bobbi Nidz). “I’m excited because it’s a different twist: You have these four different contexts that you have to talk about with your speech.”

The Four-Way Test Speech Contest is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Chester, Deep River, and Essex—and the clubs are putting their own unique spin on the event. The contestants will give a five- to seven- minute speech applying the Rotary Four-Way Test to a topic of their choosing: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned? The contest is also distinctive because the students—half a dozen of them will participate—can choose their topic.

“This is real world: You choose the topic and you craft it,” said Nidzgorski. “This is very creative, very personalized, and it’s a great opportunity. I’m excited, the kids are excited.”

Jan Taigen, the event coordinator and a member of Chester Rotary, gave a few examples of topics students in other areas have chosen in the past: the national debt, your digital footprint, how you dress, extracurricular activities—even the message of music lyrics. The speeches can be serious or humorous; they have to be spoken, not read.

The event will have seven judges including Chester First Selectman Lauren Gister, Essex First Selectman Norman Needleman, Attorney John Ivimey of Chester, the Reverend Tim Hout of Deep River, Dr. Tim Tobin of Essex, and Rotary Area 10 Assistant District Governor Tari Marshall-Day. The speeches will be judged in three areas: content, organization and delivery, and effectiveness. The winner takes home $150 and continues to the semifinals in March; if successful, he or she will proceed to the finals in April. Each phase offers cash prizes.

“Participation makes a great statement of courage and commitment on a student’s résumé, win or not,” Taigen said.

The Four-Way Test was developed by a Rotarian in 1932 and adopted by Rotary International in 1943. Since then, it has been translated into more than 100 languages. Its emphasis on ethics is perhaps part of what has made it so enduring.

“Usually we argue ‘best’ based on power, gain, winning, profit, or being better than something else,” said Taigen. “This speech challenges students to evaluate just using ethics: Is it true and fair? Will it build goodwill and be beneficial to those affected? Simple, but strong.”

Beyond the unique aspects of the contest itself, the event also represents a noteworthy collaborative effort between the three towns.

“Happily, Deep River and Essex rotaries were eager to join in once I reached out, making this first year a collaborative effort of the three Rotary clubs, with Arlene Pressman working from Deep River Rotary and Carolyn Blicharz from Essex Rotary,” said Taigen.

Finally, it teaches students a valuable skill too often overlooked. Nidzgorski pointed at a study done recently by Google in which the company analyzed whether its top employees were the ones who ranked highest academically.

“That’s not who their best people were,” Nidzgorski said. “Their best people were collaborators, communicators, problem-solvers. Speech and debate has an awful lot of that.”

“As much as many people avoid public speaking at all costs, it is such a valuable skill—needed by everyone,” Taigen said. “This public speaking experience will benefit these students enormously, no matter what profession they pursue.”

Whether you’re a parent, fellow student, or simply an interested community member, everyone is encouraged to attend to show their support and witness an entertaining and educational event.

“We hope to have a great turnout,” said Taigen. “I am sure visitors will be reassured about the next generation after viewing the poise and promise of these young people. We also specifically encourage families with school-age kids to come to let their children take a look at some great role models.”

The Four-Way Test Speech Contest is on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. at the Richard H. Smith Town Hall, 174 Main Street, Deep River. The semifinal match is on Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at the Trumbull Library. The final competition will follow lunch on Saturday, April 7 at the District Assembly in Meriden.