Should I say something now or not?

Question

My daughter is in a speach competition that requies that the students not be professional speakers.(get paid for speaking) I was told today that a young lady that is known to be a public speaker in our area is also in the competition. I know that my daughter can win the competition weather she is in it or not, but if she takes 2nd or 3rd place she will be taking it from another students who deserves to be there. My daughter thinks we should wait to see if she places and then say something. I feel that I should not let it get that far. What do you think?. (the competition officials do now that shes a public speaker, they didn't know we knew.)

The young lady gets paid for speaking. I can actually book her online

tcupn- one of the ways we know that this young lady is professional is that my daughter has shared a stage with her. She was the paid keynote speaker and my daughter was a representitive for her school. My daughter got a standing ovation and she flopped. So I'm trruley not worried if my daughter will lose. ( I actually think it would be could for her to beat a professional) I am worried about the other students

Answer 1

Yes, say something now (before the competition).

Perhaps you could use a "gentle" sort of approach, like "Gosh, I'm sure this is an honest mistake, and she didn't know what the rules were when she entered the contest, but..." Or something like, "I'm confused about the rules and would like a clarification because I thought people who got paid for speaking couldn't enter this contest..."

By the way, I don't think you're "ratting out" or being vindictive towards this other young lady. Rules are rules, and everyone who enters a competition should follow them. I think if you're showing good sportsmanship (even if she isn't), then everything will be fine. Good luck!

Answer 2

There is a big difference between being a PUBLIC speaker and a 'professional' speaker.
And that is whether or not they get paid for it.

Your daughters competetion rules, only state that they should not be 'professional' so if this other young lady is not being paid, she is still within the rules for entering.

I would only speak up PRIOR to the competition taking place, if she was in fact being paid fo public speaking, as the judges may not be aware of that distinction.

Answer 3

the professional student speaker should be made to withdraw from competition and do so before the competition.
You need to make sure first that she is a professional at it and then contact the chairman or persons in charge of the competition. It is so not fair to everyone else and no doubt this girl knows that-maybe talking to her first would cause her to gracefully withdraw, if not, tell you have no choice but to report her-Rules are rules and she would not like it if she were in a competition as an amateur and some professional entered it. Act now! and have the courage to do so.

Answer 4

Clearly you intend to say something. And clearly you are worried that this girl will win, or more to the point, she will win and your daughter won't. To make sure that your daughter wins, you are anxious to turn in the girl who does public speaking for money. OK, rules are rules, so go ahead and rat her out. Turn her in, but do it now.
Print a copy of the website, with the booking page and her prices. Give a copy to Competition officials. File your complaint. Then drop it and let your daughter compete against all the others and take her chances. Teach your daughter to take the high road in this situation and to do the best job she knows how to do. Good luck.

Answer 5

You have to tell, it's not fair to the other guys, it would be like a golf pro playing in a amateur game.
Simply cheating!

Answer 6

Say something before, not after.