On Monday 12th of January 2009 the school finals of the speech contest in the 2nd and 3rd year bilingual classes were held in the cafeteria of the Hermann Wesselink College. The finalists, Nicholas Schuetz, Bob van den Driesschen and Sabine Huis from the 2nd years and Romy Baarsen and Querine van den Hoek from the 3rd years were fiercely competing to win this contest. The two winners of the contest, one of each year, would represent our school in the regional rounds of the Junior Speech Contest, which is organised by a part of the European Platform. The atmosphere was tense and full of expectation as Nicholas started off. The audience, consisting of all the other students from the finalists’classes, showed involvement and listened intently. They proved to be as supportive as we hoped they would be. Not only did the contestants have to give a near flawless speech, they also had to answer critical questions from the audience and a question panel, consisting of Robert Payne and Joost Toben, both IB students from V6. They were part of the jury, as well as Mrs. De la Rie, Mrs. Lykles, Mrs. Smits and Mrs. Payne. While the audience refreshed themselves with some soft drinks, the jury took their leave to decide on the winners. In the end they agreed that although all the speakers showed quality and dedication to their chosen subject, the speeches of Nicholas and Querine were the most engaging and convincing. The regional rounds will be held at the Anna van Rijn college in Nieuwegein on the 11th of February.

By C. Payne – van der Wal