Public Speaking Success

Two Genazzano students excel in Public Speaking competitions

Public Speaking is alive and well at Genazzano FCJ College, as over the past two weeks, two students have excelled in Public Speaking competitions.

On Tuesday 9 May, Antonietta di Cosmo (Year 11) won the Rotary Club of Balwyn Four Way Test Public Speaking Competition, with a speech about the need for ongoing funding for Special Schools. Antonietta drew on personal experience in her speech, moving the audience with descriptions of her Year 10 Work Experience placement at Heatherwood School. Four finalists spoke in front of an audience of Rotarians and family members at Greenacres Golf Club, where Antonietta was declared the winner.

On Monday 22 May, Marietta Stents (Year 9) was the winner of the Ainger Award for Public Speaking. Marietta delivered a moving speech about Major General Pompy Elliot, whose image graces the Camberwell RS. Speaking about Pompy’s ‘Never Ending Battle’, those in Gallipoli and the Western Front and then his battle with depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder upon returning home. Ten students contested the final, which was held at the Amora Hotel Riverwalk in Richmond, with Marietta winning ahead of many Year 11 and 12 students. Marietta received a perpetual trophy, which will be displayed in the Genazzano reception for the next twelve months.

Both Antonietta and Marietta are confident, competent public speakers who were commended by adjudicators for their articulation and for the poise they showed.