Six Mountain Ridge High School students explored the application of business ethics to decision-making about today's major issues as they prepared speeches for a competition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Frostburg recently. Two Allegany High School students also participated in such a speech competition sponsored by the Cumberland Rotary Club.
In preparation for the speech competition, the students studied the Rotary 4-Way Test (of the things we think, say, or do) devised by Rotarian Herbert Taylor in 1932 as he struggled to find a way to save a struggling company. The application of the 4-Way Test to all aspects of the company's business dealings resulted in the survival of the company. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, the 4-Way Test guides over one million Rotarians around the world in their everyday business dealings and in their personal lives:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build good will and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The topics chosen by the students and researched for the speeches were stem cell research, freedom of choice for women facing a decision on abortion, the outcomes of the No Child Left Behind legislation, the importance of recycling, adoption of children by gay and lesbian couples, the importance of conservation of natural resources, the atrocities of Guantanamo Bay, and equal rights for homosexuals.
First place winner for the Frostburg event was Cady Kirkwood, daughter of Bobbie and Steven Kirkwood, Frostburg. A junior at Mountain Ridge, she enjoys studying karate, playing and teaching piano, and participating in jazz band, mock trial, and the debate team.
Second place winner was Brenna Ishler, daughter of Vance and Lori Ishler, Frostburg. She lists as her interests saving the world, recycling, planting trees, National Honor Society, volunteering, and living life to the fullest.
Ryan Beeman, son of Terry and Lori Beeman, was the third place winner. He lists as his interests debate, guitar, cheering on the Dolphins, mock trial, concerts, Ultimate Frisbee, and National Honor Society.
The three winners each received a cash prize.
Others participating in the Mountain Ridge competition were Kelsie Linn, daughter of Nicky and Kathy Linn, who plans to work in veterinary medicine and who reads constantly and plays basketball; Tristan Stevens, daughter of Jay and Janet Stevens, who lists as her activities piano, saxophone, marching band, concert band, jazz band, Spanish Club, cross country, track, National Honor Society, Drama Club, and church pianist; and Alex Stevens, son of Jay and Janet Stevens, who lists as his interests drama/theatre, concert band, jazz orchestra, choir, concert choir, cross country, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Susan Nolan, English Department Chair at Mountain Ridge High School, advised the students and conducted a preliminary runoff at the school among nine students who chose to participate.
Judges for the Frostburg contest were David Jones, of Frostburg, a Cumberland Rotarian and Director of Grants and Development and Executive Director of the Allegany College of Maryland Foundation; Dr. Beverly Wilcox, Professor of English, Speech, Reading, and Leadership, Allegany College of Maryland; and Dr. Ron Jenkins, Associate Professor of English, Allegany College of Maryland.
The judges remarked that every student's speech was well-researched and well-presented. Jenkins added that students were very courageous in their choice of controversial topics.
Frostburg Rotary Club conducted the contest in the Special Functions Room at Allegany College of Maryland. ACM Assistant Professor of English and Speech and Rotarian David E. Bohnert organized the event and chaired the competition.
Contestants in the Cumberland Rotary Club Competition were Morgan Walbert, daughter of Jim Walbert and Jeanne Bowers, and Daniel Nelson, son of Steve and Cheryl Nelson.
Nelson, the first place winner, lists as his interests music, math, science (mostly chemistry), physics, psychology, drumming, leadership, and many other group activities. He said he spends most of his time with the drumline, Boy Scouts, and helping around the community.
Walbert, second place winner, says that her current goals are to do well in high school, to enjoy her remaining time in Cumberland, and to enroll in the college of her choice, possibly in the New York area. She is interested in a career in publishing. She spends time in her many activities and with her friends.
The two winners each received a cash prize.
Cumberland Rotarian Karen S. Johnson, Executive Director of the Western Maryland Health System Foundation, organized the Cumberland event. She said that she invites students who attend the Cumberland Rotary Club meetings throughout the school year to participate in the 4-Way Test Speech Contest.
The six winners of the local Rotary Club contests (Rotary Clubs of Frostburg, Grantsville, Keyser, WV, Martinsburg WV, Oakland, and Romney) will compete in the South Region Contest on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium at Braddock Hospital, 900 Seton Drive, Cumberland. The winner from the South Region, the North Region, and the Central Region contests will compete in the Rotary District 7350 final contest at the District Conference at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Resort.
The winner at the district final level will receive $1,000. Two runners-up will each receive $300.
Contestants in the Cumberland Rotary Club Competition were Morgan Walbert, daughter of Jim Walbert and Jeanne Bowers, and Daniel Nelson, son of Steve and Cheryl Nelson.