Murfreesboro eighth grade student "out talks" two competing high school seniors to win the District 6760 Rotary college scholarship. Oakland Middle School's Emily Grayson Hamby spoke on The 4-Way Test at the international club's district convention Saturday (5/19/2012) in Franklin. 

The local 14-year old entered the competition on the local level with the Murfreesboro Rotary Club's competition. First place finishers from clubs across middle and west Tennessee then competed April 28th in Franklin. The three finalists from that event were Hamby representing the Murfreesboro Rotary Club, Alex Svenpladsen for the Franklin Breakfast Rotary Club, and Brooks Lamb for the Lewisburg Rotary Club.

Murfreesboro Rotary President Bart Walker commented, "I knew Emily would win after hearing her compete in the first phase of district competition a few weeks ago. This is one of many ways Rotary encourages area youth to strengthen their speaking and leadership skills."

Emily is the daughter of Craig and Stacey Hamby of Murfreesboro. Craig is with State Farm's regional office and Stacey is with Reeves-Sain Medical. 

How Did the "4 Way Test" Begin

What is now known as "Rotary's 4-Way Test" was born out of crisis. In 1932 Herbert J. Taylor penned: "These are the things we think, say and do. (1) Is it the truth, (2) is it fair to all concerned, (3) will it build goodwill and better friendships, and (4) will it be beneficial to all concerned?" This was not originally written for Rotary, but Taylor wrote it in 1932 for his bankrupt Club Aluminum Company. It rallied employees and within five-years Club Aluminum was out of the red and growing strong. 

Taylor went on to become president of the Rotary Club of Chicago in 1939, and international president in 1954. He gave the "4 Way Test" to Rotary International and it was adopted in January, 1943. 

Left photo: Emily Hamby giving her winning 4-Way Test talk at the District 6760 Rotary Convention at Franklin's Mariott Cool Spring Hotel and Conference Center.