Young Jade wows debating judges

Jade Murray, a Limavady Central P7 student, took the title after a spectacular performance and relay of her speech: 'My rubbish - is it a waste or a resource?'. The bubbly 11-year-old wowed judges and claimed her victory over primary AND secondary student entrants from all over the 26 council areas.

Jade represented Limavady and the north west in the competition finals held on Thursday at Magherafelt District Council offices.

Not only doing her home town proud, Jade made history by becoming the first north west winner to take the Northern Ireland title. Speaking on her achievement, Limavady Central Primary School principal Mr Wilson Manning described Jade as "outstanding".

"Jade has done the school, her home town and the north west very proud.

"Her diction and the way she delivered the speech in front of so many people on Thursday was just outstanding.

"Jade was entered alongside primary and secondary school entrants from 26 local authorities and it was clear on the day that her speech and delivery was just as good as those entries from the secondary school section.

"Her achievement is absolutely brilliant."

Environmental Youth Speak is an annual public speaking competition open to pupils throughout Northern Ireland. It encourages environmental awareness amongst young people, giving them the opportunity to research and debate current environmental issues.

The well spoken 11 year-old gave her speech in front of Minister for the Environment Edwin Poots and UTV's Frank Mitchell, who presented the event. Speaking on her new title, Jade told the Sentinel she was "over the moon".

"I was a bit nervous delivering my speech in the first heat but when I went onto to speak in the final I was more confident and relaxed. The speech took a lot of preparing and I would like to thank my teacher Mrs Caskey and my principal Mr Manning who gave me a lot of help and support right up to the final."

Jade won two trophies, 150 for her school and a 50 gift voucher for herself, but says she has no plans to be spending her prize money anytime soon.

Jade laughs: "I think I will just save it for the minute. Everyone is delighted and amazed that I did so well and I am just over the moon at having gone so far."