On March 12, five students from Whitehall High School were showcased in Whitehall Area Rotary Club’s annual 4-Way Test Speech Contest, held in the Zentz Community Center at Fellowship Community, Whitehall. The contestants tackled a broad range of challenging topics, including financial freedom, harassment of women, basic needs insecurity and ocean pollution.

All high school students, grades 9-12, were eligible to participate in the contest. Each contestant chose the topic of his/her speech.

The purpose of the speech was to persuade others while applying the principles of the club’s 4-Way Test, which asks the following four questions of the things we think, say or do:

• Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

This year’s stellar entries made it difficult, the volunteer judges said, but ultimately they selected Sarah Mullin as the winner. Her moving and persuasive speech, titled “Puppy Mills and the Overlooked Cruelty,” focused on ongoing abuse and neglect at puppy mills. Club President Ed Hozza and club member/contest moderator Mary Kay McMahon presented her with a check from the club as her prize.

Kudos also to runners-up Arianna Aranki, Celina Dabboura, Emily Kern and Emma Potocnie, who will each receive a gift card from the host site, Fellowship Community.

Mullin represented WHS and the club at the regional contest March 22, where she placed third.

The students are taught/coached by Michelle Abbadessa, WHS English teacher.

Club members participated as judges, moderator, timekeeper and teller.

Whitehall Area Rotary Club was formed in 2017. Its mission is to serve Whitehall and the surrounding community through volunteerism, fundraising and service projects.