Trinity College School’s Grade 11 Public Speaking Contest was held online on Thursday, February 10th and Friday, February 11th. The eight competitors, comprised of the top student from each Grade 11 English class, spoke on a non-Canadian figure who has significantly impacted the world.
This contest was initiated by the late Sir Edwin Leather ’37 to encourage students in the art of public speaking. The competition is generously supported by the TCS Parents’ Guild, who donated the trophy some years ago and who provide the prize money for the winner each year.
Our Head Prefects, Gordon Bennett and Bolu Abiola, hosted the event. They entertained the viewers by providing interesting facts about each speaker as they were introduced and answering questions submitted by the Grade 11 class.
Each year, the judges, teachers and students are impressed by how the finalists deliver their speeches with confidence and poise, and this year was no exception. Thus, the task of judging the contest was both challenging and enjoyable. After much deliberation, the judges decided to share first place between Viana Biscoe, for her speech on Cleopatra, and Carmella Ylagan, for her speech on Virginia Woolf. The judges commented that both speakers “provided creative, compelling and memorable speeches.” Specifically, Viana’s poetic style and engaging delivery were compelling. She captured the audience’s attention with her opening lines and commanded it for the entire speech. Meanwhile, Carmella deliberately unfolded Woolf’s story, infusing it with emotion and leaving many in the audience with goosebumps. She impressed all with her poise and eloquent delivery. Both speeches balanced interesting, little-known facts with engaging anecdotes, highlighting why Cleopatra and Woolf are significant figures.
The other finalists, in alphabetical order, were: Asseel Abdalla, Rosa Parks; Boas Bromm, Nelson Mandela; Emily Brown, John F. Kennedy; Bria Chalovich, Oscar Wilde; Lachlan Cowdroy, Leonardo da Vinci; and Amelia Maggi, Malcolm X. The Judges were “thoroughly impressed with the overall high calibre of the speeches” and wanted to commend all presenters for their efforts.
Thank you to the judges, Mrs. Cyndi Langford, Mr. Doug Mann and Mr. Chris Robert, for their time and careful deliberations. As well, thank you to Mr. Myke Healy for hosting the webinar and helping make the online finals possible.
- By Ms. Barb Brough, head of English
