At Lauremont School, the art of public speaking is more than a competition — it’s a platform for student voice, confidence, and leadership. This year, our Debate and Public Speaking team continued to exemplify excellence, bringing home awards at every level of competition and once again proving that our students are ready to speak up and stand out.

From passionate persuasive speeches to heartfelt interpretive readings, our students embraced a range of speaking formats with courage and clarity. Two notable moments of the year were national-level achievements by Aryana K. and Sara G. Aryana qualified for the Senior National Public Speaking Championships, proudly representing Lauremont School in Winnipeg, while Sara earned her place at the Junior National Championships in Vancouver. Both students demonstrated the high caliber of communication and poise that our program cultivates — not only competing with the best, but truly belonging among them.

Starting in October, three students travelled to Bermuda to compete in the International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition, where Aryana K. broke into the finals for her persuasive speech, placing her in the top 10 in the tournament which included students from USA, Canada, China, and Bermuda. Locally, Lauremont School also made a powerful impact at the Nora McRae Public Speaking Tournament, hosted at Branksome Hall. This is one of the most prestigious annual events in the public speaking calendar, and our students rose to the challenge brilliantly. We had a record number competing this year, and Lauremont School sent 11 students in both the Junior and Senior categories to compete.

In the Senior Division, Aryana K. was awarded 1st Place overall, marking the third consecutive year that a Lauremont School student has claimed the top spot — a testament to the strength and consistency of our program. Aryana also placed 2nd in Impromptu Speaking, showcasing her quick thinking and composure under pressure. In the Persuasive Speaking category, Talia L. was awarded 3rd place, adding another honour to our senior team’s accomplishments.

The Junior Division was equally impressive. Fiorella F. won 1st Place overall and had a remarkable sweep across several categories: 1st in After-Dinner Speaking, 2nd in Impromptu Speaking, and 2nd in Interpretive Reading. In addition, Riya S. placed 2nd in Persuasive Speaking, and Maya T. earned 2nd in Declamation, rounding out a tournament filled with exceptional results.

What is most inspiring is not just the number of awards our students earned, but the range of voices and perspectives they brought forward. Many students wrote and delivered speeches on issues they care deeply about — from hospital wastewater and youth mental health to personal identity and global citizenship. In doing so, they not only honed their public speaking craft but contributed meaningfully to the dialogue around them.

Behind the scenes, countless hours of practice, peer feedback, and faculty mentorship supported these achievements. Through these competitions students not only gain valuable advocacy skills, but they also made new lifelong friends from around the globe. The dedication of our students, combined with the commitment of our coaching team, reflects a strong culture of excellence, resilience, and collaboration within the public speaking program.

As we look to next year, we are excited to continue building on this success — nurturing confident speakers, empathetic listeners, and thoughtful leaders. Everyone has a voice — and at Lauremont School, we make sure it gets heard.