PROVINCE 4 PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION Friday 20th March 2026

A very successful Public Speaking competition was held in the Chapel at Hope University, Liverpool. The Catenian Association strives to support Catholic Youth and the each Province holds an annual competiton with the winner going forward to the national competition in September.

Steve Marstons, Provincial President, welcomed all to the competiton and thanked the Contestants for their participation.

Archbishop of Liverpol, John Sherrington, attended and preaented the Prizes, and was thanked for his support for the Association

Six schools from the Province entered. The contestants were

EVELYN COONEY Archbishop Beck Catholic College, Liverpool – Do Women Have A Place In Sport?
LAYLA GALLAGHER Carmel College, St Helens – Beyond The Credits. Why Books Endure.
RUBY-JANE SMITH Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, The Boots Theory.
DOMINIC McCABE St Edward’s College, Liverpool – How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Justice?
HARRISON JONES St Anselm’s College, Birkenhead – Conformity And Its Dangers.
ANNA HIGGINS The Catholic High School, Chester – Why So Few People Read Now.

The contestants spoke for 3 minutes on their topic. They were judged on their speaking ability, subject knowledge and effective argument and ability to engage the audience.

A panel of three judges assesed their performnace. The Judges were James Power, Editor of Catena, Sarah McGeehan, Youth Ministry Co-ordinator, Archdiocese of Liverpool and John Phipps, retired Barrister and Circuit Judge.

Six excellent presentations were delivered by the contestants. James Power addressed each contestant with remarks on their presentation.

The Winner was RUBY-JANE SMITH Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, The Boots Theory. She was presented with her Prize by the Archbishop of Liverpol, John Sherrington, Also the annual Shield for the winning School.

DOMINIC McCABE St Edward’s College, Liverpool – How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Justice? was second with LAYLA GALLAGHER Carmel College, St Helens – Beyond The Credits. Why Books Endure, third.