In mid-winter each year, the 4-Way Test season begins.
This season is marked by publicly held speeches by local youth in grades 9–12 who muster up the courage and carve out the time to defend a side to an issue important to them, speaking in local schools and Rotary clubs, in community meeting rooms and conference centers. Their position defense is shaped around the 4-Way Test itself and perfected with practice, practice, practice.
The “Test” goes like this:
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?
These are questions one might ask himself when facing an important decision. The test can be applied to almost any aspect of life. The test was scripted by Herbert Taylor, an American from Chicago, and was later adopted by Rotary International.
Rotarians are people in the communities who gather to provide service and they belong to Rotary International. Rotary International seeks to promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders at Rotary Club meetings.
For over 110 years, community clubs have joined their passion, energy, and skills to take action on some of the world’s most persistent problems including fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment.
In the Bucks/Montgomery County region in April of this year, four students presented at the Doylestown Township Community Center and awed the audience with their reflections and their oratorical skill. These students, from four different Rotary clubs, were Lily Wu, Magnolia Demiri-Worman, Nicholas Mento and Olivia Cao. Judges serving at this contest were Rotarian Katie Farrell (Warminster Rotary Club), as well as Rose Yuan and Pat Rocchi, both of Toastmasters Doylestown. Olivia Cao took top prize in speaking about a “Creativity Crisis,” and moved on to district competition in Atlantic City, where she took second prize at the highest level of this district competition.
The sponsoring Rotary clubs congratulate and thank students, families, and volunteers who help bring this opportunity to youth.
Inge Karlberg-Stannik, author, was Eastern Region Test chair for the 4-Way Test Competition in Rotary District 7430 and also attended the regional competition.
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