Yesterday, our local Lions Club sponsored and held Pearson Academy’s Speak Out Competition. We had 17 student participants and an excellent audience turnout.
Speak-outs are great opportunities for youth to practice and build skills through public speaking, and to encourage them to have a public voice in issues that concern them.
The winners:
Rhianna Bishop, 1st Place. Topic: Leadership in Rural Communities
Jessica Melindy, 2nd Place. Topic: Growing Up with Mental Illness – Anxiety and O.C.D
Deidre Hounsell, 3rd Place. Topic: Dangers of Driving Under the Influence
As the first place winner,
Rhianna will compete later at the regional level.
The judges for the speak-out were Joanne Wiley, Theodore O’Connor and myself.
It was a privilege to spend time with these young adults and to volunteer once more for this worthy event.
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Have you or your child ever competed
or taken part in a public speaking competition?
Jennifer's Journal 
I am going to hold a speech contest at my middle school next month. What was the topic for your Speak Out? Any tips you can give me would be appreciated.
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Thanks for dropping in on my blog!
The students pick their own topics at this high school’s speak-out events, so the sky’s the limit. They are judged on the context of the speech itself, their delivery and poise, and how well they answer questions afterwards. Among other criteria, they lose points if the speech is too short or too long (length is suggested beforehand), and if they are simply reading from their paper and not making enough eye contact with the audience.
Hope this helps!
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I love it that you’re involved with your local school and encouraging the youth of your community. I honestly believe that every minute we spend supporting the next generation will make the world a better place in the future. Cheers to you, Jennifer, and to the champs. 🙂 All of the participants are winners.
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Thank you, Diana. 😊 I’m happy to support our young people in any way I can. They are the future!
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Congratulations to the winners but also to all those who took part, they must have great confidence.
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Thanks, Andrea. It takes guts to get up there in front of a crowd regardless. Kudos to them all.
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I love seeing youth find their voice and use it for good. I hope they show us a thing or two–they could certainly improve upon what we’ve left them at the moment . . .
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Me too, Kristine. It’s a win-win. Let’s hope they can turn things around in a few areas!
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A wonderful opportunity for young people who share their insights. This is the next generation to take their place on the world’s stage. I know they will do marvelous things.
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I agree, Rebecca. A terrific opportunity for the leaders of tomorrow. 😊
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This is great — I am all in favor of training in public speaking: it has so many benefits. Good on you for participating!
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Thanks, Jan! I agree, many careers require the ability to speak in the public arena. A wonderful confidence booster as well.
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What an impressive group of young people. One on one, I’m great, but put me in front of a group and I’m petrified. I’ve never liked to be the center of attention.
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Thanks, Jill. I am always impressed by anyone’s ability to speak in public. But I’m like you. To be the center of attention is so far out of my comfort zone! xx
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What a wonderful event. And great topics. High School students have a way of blending optimism and reality that always gets my attention. Good on you for being a judge!
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Thanks, Jacqui, a pleasure for me to participate. The blending of optimism with reality is an insightful way of looking at young adults.
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Congratulations to everyone and I think they are so brave! I would never have dared to do anything similar at such a young age and the students of today are to be commended on their oratory skills and interest in a variety of topics. Jennifer, I bet it was hard to choose a winner! My son has taken part in these kind of events and whereas I’d make copious notes, rough drafts of a speech, he just had a few key words sketched out … the Virgo in me was in jitters but he won!
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Thank you, Annika. Your son won, that’s wonderful! You must have been very proud.
They are indeed brave. All the students did well and had interesting topics, but the winners were those who managed not to sound like they were reading, made plenty of eye contact and had compelling material. 🙂
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You and I have spoken of the value of Toastmasters…congratulations to these students for getting out of, what might be for many, their comfort zone. So wonderful!
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Yes we have, Lois. As you know, just getting up there and facing an audience is daunting in itself, but practice makes it easier. Thanks for your congrats! 🙂
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