By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Each year Rotary Clubs in District 5330 hold speech contests where high school students apply Rotary’s 4-Way Test to a topic about which they are passionate.
The four tenets of the test are:
- 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 contests were made difficult by the winter storm that descended upon the mountain. Because of that, the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead Mountain Sunrise held their contest on Zoom. And the student participating with the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead had transportation issues so several Rotarians met her in the Rim High library.
On Feb. 18, Rim High senior Vala-Valis Miller applied the test to shark finning. She had seen an animated film addressing the issue and became alarmed about the treatment of marine life.
It’s the truth, she said, that people are killing marine life. “Sharks are valued more for a bowl of soup,” she said. She added they are “used as a symbol of danger. The focus is on fear.
“Is it fair to sharks who are mutilated?” she asked. “Future generations may inherit oceans stripped of biodiversity. We have to consider the long-term consequences of our actions.”
Vala-Valis added that “the ocean connects us all. When communities advocate for sustainable fishing, that builds good will. We need to replace the fear-based narrative with scientific facts.”
Vala-Valis Miller applied the 4-Way Test to shark finning.
As for being beneficial to all, she said that “healthy shark populations mean healthy oceans, stable fishing, food for a lot of people. The ripple effects will reach far beyond.”
On Feb. 24 junior Valentina Chavez delivered her speech in the Rim High library. The Rotary Club watched the recording at their March 3 meeting.
“This is embarrassing,” Valentina said. “I was getting ready to go out and thought I had nothing to wear. I realized I had bought things because they were trendy. It made me uncomfortable and made me think about something bigger. Why do we consume so much?”
She went on to apply the 4-Way Test to climate change and overconsumption.
The truth, she said, is that our planet is warming up. We live in a culture that encourages buying vast amounts, Valentina said, more than we need.
“The average American throws away 80 pounds of clothing every year – into landfills. Overconsumption fuels pollution – we are buying and throwing away more than ever.”
Climate change, Valentina said, “raises a major concern of fairness. Farmers face unpredictable growing seasons.” The World Health Organization has estimated climate change will cause deaths due to disease and malnutrition, she added. “Is it fair that some companies profit from mass production while others pay the price?”
Climate change, she said, “can divide people but it doesn’t have to. Research shows shared environmental projects produce community bonds – goodwill. Cities that expand green space and clean energy programs report improved public health. Instead of attacking one another, we can ask how we can work together. Protecting the planet can unite us.”
There are significant benefits to reducing climate change, Valentina said – fewer diseases and renewable energy supports millions of jobs. “Research shows experiencing relationships results in lasting happiness,” Valentina said. “We see people who have nothing but they have their families to keep them together.
“Buying less doesn’t mean living less – it can mean living better. Ask yourself, ‘Do I really need this?’ Reduce waste – small actions matter. Now when I look in my drawers, I don’t just see clothes. I see choices, impact, responsibility.”
Vala-Valis plans to attend Cal State San Bernardino, majoring in creative writing. Her goal is to teach English at either the elementary or high school level. She is active in the high school’s Interact Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead.
Valentina is also active in Interact. She is part of the AVID program and went on the junior class field trip to visit several colleges earlier this month. She will be attending RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) in May.
Both girls will advance to the district-level speech contest on March 14 in Banning.
0 Comments