Fourteen juniors spoke in front of an audience of 250, at the first ever Shawnigan Junior Public Speaking Showcase.  This year, the English department officially introduced Public Speaking into the curriculum, formally teaching and assessing public speaking skills.  All grade 8, 9 and 10 students prepared and delivered speeches that they performed in their classes, and the best speaker in each class was asked to perform at the Showcase.  The 14 speeches we heard on Wednesday evening covered diverse themes, ranging from the symbolism of Barbie to why public speaking should be banned, and elicited a range of reactions, from deep belly laughs, to a few tears, with some pleasant surprises throughout the evening.  As an added bonus, two grade 12 boys emceed the event, showcasing some fine speaking skills of their own!

– Cari Bell, Head of English