Jozi and Katia competed virtually in Junior National Public Speaking Championships. (May 2020)

ZOOMING INTO JUNIOR NATIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Jennifer J. Pawluk, Communications Specialist

For the first time in school history, Balmoral Hall students are competing in debate and public speaking virtually with their peers across Canada.

For Canada’s Junior High Public Speaking Championships last weekend, Jozi, Grade 8, and Katia, Grade 9, filmed in advance their persuasive speech and interpretive reading, respectively. Impromptu speeches were delivered live via Zoom. The opportunity was one to be remembered!

“Last weekend’s Junior National Public Speaking Championships were an interesting new experience,” shares Jozi. “As this was my first time at speech nationals, I was questioning how organized the whole tournament would be. A bit to my surprise, it was extremely well organized, fun, and a great learning experience. Competing virtually created a few opportunities that we wouldn’t have had in person, such as more detailed feedback and rerecording speeches until they were perfect. Coming in 1st in Manitoba and in the top 10 in the country made me realize that even though things aren’t the way we are used to right now, we can still do well and enjoy the things we love.

“Though I would have loved to be in Vancouver for this, I was very thankful for the opportunity to compete anyways!”

Jozi tied for 9th place overall, placing 8th in persuasive speaking and 11th in impromptu speaking, while Katia placed 15th in interpretative reading.

“All around, this was a great demonstration of grit and resilience given the new format of the tournament in an online setting,” says Mrs. Balcaen.

Well done, Jozi and Katia! You are to be commended for embracing this challenge to successfully compete in unique circumstances. We’re so proud of you!

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Balmoral Hall School

630 Westminster Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada  R3C 3S1
Tel: (204) 784-1600 | Fax: (204) 774-5534 | info@balmoralhall.ca
Charitable Registration No. 12994 3932 RR0001
Our mission at Balmoral Hall School is to inspire girls’ imagination and the courage to excel, to reach, to lead, to care.

We are a nondenominational independent day and boarding school, educating students from Junior Nursery to Grade 12.