There are times as you browse round the shops when you wonder why some mums find it necessary to shout to their offspring when the little darlings are barely a couple of feet away.

This also probably explains why so many kids only seem able to communicate at full volume regardless of their location or surroundings.

Perhaps it was with great foresight and this generation in mind that the phrase ‘Children should be seen and not heard’ was coined.

However, that could not be further from the truth when considering the young people who took part in the Rotary Club’s annual Youth Speaks competition.

This event has become one of the most inspirational aspects of my job.

Teams of pupils from our local schools are invited to take centre stage and give vent to their frustrations and joys on all manner of subjects, and they do so with enthusiasm and determination.

Having been asked back as a member of the judging panel on Monday night I was again humbled by the courage, confidence and generous spirit of these youngsters.

During the course of the evening there were numerous references to the bad press young people get nowadays.

We do see a trend among some youngsters that their ‘street cred’ demands a big attitude, aggressive behaviour and a level of arrogance that is rarely justified.

That’s unfortunate because there are many whose courage and character need no false bravado.

It takes the sort of strength that really does earn respect to stand on stage and deliver a well constructed speech to a packed audience, injecting life, detail and humour, before thrusting home with a masterly conclusion.

They certainly earned my respect!

Joe Scicluna, Editor.