Fortian Youths make their voices heard at the 2022 Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition

On Wednesday the 30th of March 2022, six Fortians participated in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition for 2022 at Santa Sabina College, Strathfield.

Representing our school in the junior division were the always eloquent speaking talents of Miranda Leighton from year 8, Eleanor Alonso Love from year 9 and Sammy Anand from year 9. Our juniors got to select from a range of topics for their 6-minute speech such as ‘blue skies’, ‘start a conversation’, ‘this time it will be different’, ‘wait and see’ and ‘celebration’. Eleanor gave a moving speech where she pointed out the social and environmental issues that the young people of her generation face today, and how they are working hard to resolve those issues in ‘hopes for blue skies’. Sanjana delivered an equally thought-provoking speech on cultural diversity and how the set-back but also the progress that Australians have made towards embracing the beauty and values of our multicultural society, have enabled us to begin fulfilling the deeper meaning behind the powerful claim that ‘this time it will be different’.

In the senior division, we had the mighty speaking powers of Hugo Ceran-Jerusalemy, Sanjana Krishnan-iyer and Dennis Yeo of year 11. Our seniors were given 8 minutes to give their speech and the topics they could choose were ‘errors of judgment’, ‘connection to country’, ‘spoilt for choice’, ‘the lesson that I learnt’ and ‘changing the narrative’. Both Sanjana and Hugo advocated for gender equality in their speeches and presented some persuasive arguments about how we need to be ‘changing the narrative’ for women. Sanjana addressed the inequality of the gender pay gap and the unrealistic standards that the fashion industry places on women when it comes to beauty. Hugo spoke about the importance of giving women more opportunities to be heard in our Australian political arena. At the end of the competition, the judges rewarded Hugo with second prize and gave equally high praises to Sanjana and Dennis for their courageous speeches.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Miranda, Eleanor, Sammy, Hugo, Sanjana and Dennis for putting in so much time and effort towards composing and delivering these truly enlightening speeches! You are outstanding role models for all Fortians and people of your generation; please continue to care and stay-informed about all the issues and changes that are occurring in our Australian society because by doing so, you keep the future bright for our society!

In true Fortian fashion, I also want to commend your effort with a quote. Even though our school only participated in the opening round of the Rostrum Voice of Youth speaking competition for 2022, I hope that you never forget that: “The worst speech you’ll ever give, will be far better than the one you never give”.. . . and there’s always next year for all of you!

Ms. Truong
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator for Fort Street High School