Hungerford school pupil wins through to finals of national public speaking contest
A HUNGERFORD school pupil is through to the finals of a national public speaking competition.
Fourteen-year-old Scarlett Slatter won her place in the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYC) final with an emotional speech from the heart.
Scarlett spoke candidly about her experience, fears, and pride during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when she was separated from her mother, who was working long hours as a nurse and didn’t want to bring the virus home.
School assistant vice-principal Jay Morgan said: "It's an incredibly moving speech.
"Anyone who has heard it has had some tears, particularly with the twist at the end of an unopened letter.
"Scarlett’s composure, clarity and delivery are so impressive."
Scarlett is a proud member of Bradfield Young Farmer’s Club with her supporting team Alice Phillips, 15, from The Downs School in Compton, and 16-year-old Aine Stanley, 16, from Oxfordshire.
The team won the county competition and went on to represent Berkshire in the regional south east competition.
They are now through to the finals at Staffordshire County Showground later this spring.
Scarlett's mother Natasha Slatter said: "I'm beyond proud. I also think it's really cathartic for Scarlett to speak about her experience."
Scarlett added: "As a Young Farmer, you are an upstanding member of your community, where communication and representation is as important as the opportunities it gives you.
"I’m also doing a tractor driving course with them.
"It's never been such a good time for women in agriculture; it encompasses everything – tech, science and mathematics as well as animal welfare and public speaking."
Teacher Debi Arden-Hunt said: "I was blown away by the maturity and depth of Scarlett’s writing, and she delivered it with such poise and understanding of an emotional topic.
"She is a gifted and natural speaker, and an absolute credit to herself and her family, to her Young Farmers' Club and to us, too."
