Abby Kelley Foster Charter School Sweeps Prizes at Public Speaking Finals 2006

BOSTON, April 2.  Heidi Wolf, Founder of Speaking American and the statewide annual Public Speaking contest program featuring 1-Minute Talks for Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6, welcomed contestants to the final round of competition at the Boston Public Library. Eight contestants reached the Finals out of 391 students who participated in giving a 1-Minute Talk in a preliminary round of competition at the school level in March.

Talk on Tigers A Big Hit

Udbhav Chitta, Grade 3, Abby Kelley Foster Charter School (AKFCS), captivated the audience and judges with a stirring talk on tigers which transported listeners to India and memories of the courage and daring of the mighty creature of the jungle.

Judges Applaud Presenters

Judges of the 1-Minute Talks were Cathy Goodwin and George Brown. Cathy is a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) at Clark University, Worcester State College and Quinsigamond Community College. George Brown is the Assistant Director of the Shrewsbury Public Library.

The Judges voted Michael Burke, Grade 4 Winner with his Talk on Ireland and Gloria Essien, Grade 5 Winner with her rendition of Mercy Said No. Both students attend AKFCS.

Prizes were cash amounts. Other competitors were from the South Shore Charter School. All participants giving a 1-Minute Talk received a Certificate of Participation.

Ms. Wolf said, "At Speaking American, we realize that it takes a united effort with parents, teachers and students to make an event like this happen." In recognition of this, prizes donated by Panera were awarded by random selection. Ms. Wolf commented on the prize package that she hoped the winners enjoyed the Panera experience as much as she enjoyed presenting the prize to them.