Students from across the Diocese of Brooklyn have been learning the art of public speaking, and they put those skills to the test on Tuesday, May 22, at the 2nd Annual Oratorical Contest in Queens.
Fifth through eighth grade students selected a speech to present to judges, reciting the words of well-known speakers, like Martin Luther King Jr., in front of a packed crowd at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy in Forest Hills.
Each student’s performance was evaluated based on their delivery, interpretation, and ability to convey the original speaker’s intent. This comprehensive judging criteria ensured a fair and thorough assessment of their public speaking skills.
After two rounds, the group was narrowed down from 14 to just six finalists, and as the competition grew tighter, the students said they managed to keep their cool.
Seventh grader Francesca Viola from Good Shepherd Academy ultimately took first prize for her speech from Prince Ea called “Dear Future Generations,” which talks about environmental issues and how they go unrecognized.