Teams from St Columba’s were awarded first place in both the Intermediate and Senior sections of  the public speaking competition, Youth Speaks, organised jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Gryffe Valley & Johnstone. The Intermediate team   comprising SI pupils Katie McLean (Chairperson), Jazz Catto (Speaker) and Kieran Ferrier (Vote of Thanks) impressed the judges with the clarity and structure of their presentations as well as the quality of their teamwork. Similarly, the Senior team from SIV – Fiona Ritchie (Chairperson), Elliot Gemmell (Speaker) and Melissa  Meighan (Vote of Thanks) – were lucid and convincing when addressing the audience, and were praised by the judges for they way in which they involved humour in their speeches. Both teams now progress to the next stage of the competition, the District Heat, involving teams from across the West of Scotland, scheduled to take place in February.