Charter School Students Capture Winner Prizes
at Public Speaking Finals 2007

BOSTON, April 1, 2007 - Speaking American held its 9th annual spring Public Speaking contest at the Boston Public Library, Sunday afternoon. The contest features 1-Minute talks without notes or index cards. It is offered statewide to Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6. Bilingual Talks using ENGLISH and a foreign language are offered to Grades 6, 7 and 8. This year, the bilingual language combination was ENGLISH and SPANISH.

Public Speaking Goals and Boston Finals

Ms. Heidi Wolf, Founder of Speaking American, said "Our goal is to help students find the power of their own unique voice. We do this, starting at Grade 3. And we do this statewide. Over the years, we have had public, private, parochial and charter schools participate in our Public Speaking program. In 2007, we had over 200 students give a public speaking recitation at the school level. I look forward to having as many schools as possible participate in offering their students a chance to do some public speaking."

Ms. Wolf, added, "I invite you now to enjoy some photo-coverage of our event, join in the experience and become a friend of Speaking American."

Talks include Missed Passage on the Titanic and a Missed Game at Fenway

This year's required theme of the 1-Minute Talks for Grades 3 and 4 was It's a Wonderful World - Yes/No. Explain. Finalists were students from the South Shore Charter School, Atlantis Charter School and Abby Kelley Forster Charter School.

Students in Grade 3 talked about a range of things that make this world wonderful for them including the beauty in Nature, the birth of a baby brother, finding out that no real monster was roaming around the house, and the story about a great, great grandmother who missed passage on the Titanic which saved her from possible death so she could live and have the family which lives on today.

Students in Grade 4 pointed out many of the things that are going wrong in the world and at home, especially war and the pollution that is damaging the environment. Closer to the home front, one student told of a personal mishap of going to Fenway with the wrong tickets for the game, but eased the pain with the taste of a hotdog on a stick!

Results at the 2007 Finals

Grade 3: Sophia Maniscalco - Winner
Grade 4: Makenna Springer - Winner

Other Talks include Something I’m Proud Of...

Students Grade 5 representing the Abby Kelley Foster School talked about things they are proud of including being an American, being proud of the USA and its principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, being proud of their family members, being proud to be free to experience the creative process. One student from Ghana spoke of a special idea he is proud to share relating to the piano— there are white keys and black keys. They are separate and distinct. But when played together, they work in harmony!

More Results at the 2007 Finals

Grade 5: Taylar Jackson - Winner

Following the 1-Minute Talks, there was intermission followed by the bilingual 2-Minute Talks in English and Spanish - click for results.

Prizes and Awards
We want to thank the Friends of Speaking American for their donations. Prizes for Winners of the 1-Minute Talks and the Bilingual Talks were cash prizes. Winners Circle Prizes were BORDERS gift cards. Parents' Prizes were picked by lottery. Prizes were donated by Trader Joe's - two (2) colorful re-useable Trader Joe's shopping bags filled with a variety of fascinating food products sold in the store. Teacher's Prizes were also picked by lottery. Prizes were donated by Panera - three (3) pastry boxes. One filled with scones, the others filled with fancy cake slices.

Certificates of Participation
All students who give a recitation at school within the timetable for the contests set by Speaking American are entitled to receive a Certificate of Participation. Speaking American provides the Certificates and sends them to the Principal or Contest Co-ordinator at the school. The school decides how and when to distribute the Certificates to their students.

Photographs of Event
We want to thank Alina Grossman, (BU grad) photographer, for our photos of the event which capture lasting memories of our Speaking American Finals for 2007.

Get Ready for Talks in 2008

Visit our web site for updates on next year's Talks. By mid-September we will be announcing the Required Theme (Grades 3 & 4) for the 1-Minute Talks. Grades 5 and 6 are free to choose their own topics. For the bilingual Talks in 2008 - English and CHINESE are offered for Grades 6, 7, and 8. Yes, Grade 6 students can join both contests.