Each year we are convinced that ‘this is the best final yet’, but this year might just have topped the rest!
Last night, Monday 4th July, London’s prestigious Piccadilly Theatre played host to Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! Grand Final for the third year running.
Our Grand Finalists were narrowed down to just 15 out of over 18,000 young people from across London and Essex. With a range of speeches concerning social media in a less social world, to parenting and the appreciation of silence, our young Finalists articulated their views with such extraordinary passion that it really was impossible to guess who would be crowned Grand Champion 2016.
All 15 speakers were incredible but there could only be one Grand Champion – congratulations to Ajaye McDonald of Bishop Justus C of E School, Bromley. His passionate and inspirational speech titled “Living your best life” gave us an insight into his life and strength, making him a real-life superhero.
A well deserved Runner Up position was awarded to Jo Wright of Henrietta Barnett School, representing Barnett. With a speech called “What are you?”, she drew our attention to the non-sense of racial discrimination.
Laurence Wise from Richard Challoner School, Kingston, earned third place with his humorous yet insightful speech “Spud U Like”, in which he told us the ways humans like potatoes – we really are!
Last but by no means least, the fourth and final place was awarded to Shaniya Odulawa from Greenwich Free School, Greenwich. She spoke colourfully and confidently about overturning male stereotypes with “Boys Don’t Cry”.
Congratulations to all our finalists, you set the bar sky-high.
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