EMSB Holds Public Speaking Contest

The competition was organized by the EMSB’s Educational and Technology Services (ETS). Using their developed skills and talents in how to speak in front of a large group of people, the Secondary I and II participants spoke about stories that dealt with situations that affected them personally, while the secondary III, IV and V students delivered persuasive speeches on topics of social and political importance, such as feminism, the minimum wage, education, and preventing teen suicide.

After careful deliberation, the team of judges handed out prizes.  

In the Secondary I category, first place went to Livia Kiopini from Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North (“I Dream of Jeannie”); second place went to Amy Doyle from Royal West Academy in Montreal West (“The Concert of the Century”); and third place went to Jayda Pizzuco from John Paul I High School in St. Leonard (“A Rough Start”).

In the Secondary II category, first place went to Jack Baranoff from LaurenHill Junior Campus in  St. Laurent (“My Problem: My Journey”); second place went to Ivano Milevoy from Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North (“Sunday Bloody Sunday”); and third place went to Reema El Tanoukhi from Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount (“The Battle We All Fought”).
In the Secondary III category, first place went to Addison Yasvinksi from Rosemount High School (“Are We Destroying the Environment of Our Planet?”); second place went to Jaimei Wong from Royal West Academy in Montreal West (“Controlling Free Thought – Politically Motivated Censorship”); and third place went to Helena Marek from LaurenHill Academy in Ville St. Laurent (“Why Gender Stereotypes Should be Abolished”).

In the Secondary IV category, first place went to Zoe Heffring from Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount (“Reform or Conform”); second place went to Julia Abi-Yousef from LaurenHill Academy in Ville St. Laurent (“Rape and the Criminal Justice System”); and third place Oliver Yun from Marymount Academy International in NDG (“The Effects of Sleep Deprivation”).
In the Secondary V category, first place went to Megan Blais-Hudson from LaurenHill Academy in Ville St. Laurent (“Manifestation of the Three Step Rule”); second place went to Paul Terrado from Westmount High School (“Don’t Do It!”); and third place went to Ari Conway from Royal Vale High School in NDG (“Pain Should Not be Shamed”).

Also, the Secondary I and II winners might have the opportunity to deliver their winning speeches to the EMSB Council of Commissioners. The Secondary III winner will be travelling to Ottawa for an all-expense paid week-long experience with Encounters with Canada courtesy of the Women’s Canadian Club, and deliver their winning speech at a future meeting of the organization. And the Secondary IV and V winners will have the chance to participate in the Rotary Club Public Speaking Finals, which is scheduled for this May.

All participating students received a special certificate for their participation in the EMSB Public Speaking Competition.