Tipperary student wins prestigious public speaking competition

It’s been an amazing week for Ursuline fifth-year student Rosa Ryan.

On Monday, November 27, she won the National Final of the EU Soapbox Direct Public Speaking Competition. Rosa travelled to the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin and wowed the judges with her speech ‘There’s no such thing as a vote that doesn’t matter.’

Rosa triumphed over eleven other regional finalists to win the title.

Then, on Thursday, November 30, she qualified for the next round of the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition, held in Dungarvan.

There were many speakers, including four from the Ursuline.

Rosie Bradish, Hannah Murphy and Maura Moran joined Rosa in taking to the podium to deliver their speeches on a range of issues, including the planet, the environment, the empowerment of women and human rights.

Such was the high standard of competition that five finalists were chosen to deliver impromptu two-minute speeches as a way of deciding the overall winner.

This was no bother to Rosa, who kept her cool and spoke with ease to be chosen to go forward in the competition.

Much thanks to Ms Quinn, who continues to promote and support the public speaking enthusiasts and debaters of the Ursuline, and helped Rosa and the other competitors prepare for these prestigious national competitions.

Full Caption: Ursuline Fifth Year Rosa Ryan (pictured here third on the left), won the local heat of the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition last week in Dungarvan. The Ursuline had four students entered in Soroptimist, (from L-R), Rosie Bradish, Hannah Murphy, winner Rosa Ryan and Maura Moran

Contributed to School Days in the Tipperary Star by the Ursuline, Thurles.