By Ben Lawson
ben@seymourherald.com
David Monghi traveled to Cookeville this past weekend to participate in the district competition of the Rotary Foundation’s speech scholarship, placing second out of 12.
Monghi, a junior at Seymour High School, is no stranger to giving speeches.  He’s the president of the Forensics Team, participates in different debate tournaments twice a month, and intends to study political science and communications at the University of Tennessee.
He’s very comfortable with the experience.  
“I feed off the nerves,” he said.  “Instead of letting them work against me, I let them work for me.”
Monghi entered the Rotary competition on the suggestion of his speech and debate teacher, Danielle Smallwood.  His speech focused on the Rotary’s Four-Way Test, a set of guiding principles that can be applied to anyone’s everyday life.    
He broke the speech down into values, including honesty, compassion, and justice, and how those make up an ethical person.
The speech won him first place in the county competition and secured his place at districts, where he competed against students from across East Tennessee.  He said he was satisfied with his second place finish, praising the preparation and experience.
The prize also didn’t hurt: a $1,500 scholarship to a school of his choice.
And all for doing something that he loves.  “I like the adrenaline rush,” he said.
  

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