SD83 Talks a hit!

Creativity, oratory skills and hard work were on display at the finals of SD83 Talks Showcase held at the A.L.Fortune Theatre on June 7. Participants spoke on a wide variety of topics including Why Dungeons & Dragons is better than Video Games to Parental Substance Abuse to the Northern Lights.

“We had some very articulate and entertaining speakers participating,” said Principal Shelly Cull, who along with vice-principal Duncan Hazlewood organized the event. Cull adds, “I love the variety of topics that the students talked about. I learned a lot from the students about the content they shared. I am always impressed by how knowledgeable and passionate they are about their chosen topic”.

Students from six schools throughout the district took part in SD83 Talks public speaking showcase, which replaces the former district public speaking event. This new event incorporates public speaking but students can also use visual supports, such as a powerpoint presentation. Taking part this year were A.L. Fortune, Len Wood Middle, Falkland, Sorrento, Carlin, and Shuswap Middle School. Competitions were held at the school, regional and district level. At the district level one speaker was chosen as the winner from each grade category.

Winners were as follows:

Grade 5 – Lily Seys (Sorrento) Why you should never give up

Grade 6 – Ava Pelletier (Falkland) The Horrors of Being a Middle School Girl

Grade 7 – Lexi O’Reilly (Carlin) Mental Health Supports in Schools

Grade 8 – Janey Hiscock (Shuswap Middle School) Book Banning

Also doing a good job at the finals were Grade 5s Brooke Eppel and Daizee Tress, Grade 6 Lucy Popowich, Grade 7s Tara Fedorak and Darius Gervais, Olivia Dentry, and Grade 8s Naiomi Boag, Kahlil Ellefsen and Lily Larsen.

Judges included SD83 trustee Cory Grayston, Director of Instruction Jennifer Findlay, Director of Instruction Chelsea Prince, retired Assistant Superintendent Carl Cooper, Jordan Landry and McKenzie Gyrkos.

Cull and Hazlewood gave a huge thanks to all the students for their hard work and to staff for supporting the event.