CFUW-50 years of community involvement
Public speaking competition enters its 26th year
Literacy and education have been the hallmarks of CFUW Sherbrooke & District throughout its 50-year history. An essay writing contest with Alexander Galt Regional High School was the forerunner of what has now become an annual Public Speaking Competition. Five Townships high schools, three public and two private, have participated for many years (Alexander Galt Regional High School, Massey-vanier Regional High School, Richmond Regional High School, Bishop’s College School and Stanstead College). Last May, our club received the Council of Commissioners and senior administrators of the Eastern Townships School Board Recognition of Excellence. The council commended the club for “its support and for organizing an event that gives students an opportunity to showcase their talents”.
The annual May event, that celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2017, brings together award winners from the five secondary institutions and is a culmination of a lengthy learning process in each of the schools. Entire classes participate in the development of their speech-writing skills, an important component of the Quebec high school curriculum.
Our annual competition invites 20 speakers: ten juniors from Levels I-II & III and ten seniors from Levels IV & V, two at each level per school. We should point out that the winner in each category receives a modest donation of $100.00 for their school library.
Teachers in the schools play an essential role in supporting the annual competition and they deserve our gratitude.
Topics are left to the discretion of the speakers and their coaches and range from humorous to socially relevant and are often personal. Speeches on the topic of “Suicide” and “Accepting your Body” have been given. There are recurring themes discussing pets, parents and friends. Some have taken a direct approach and asked, “What makes a good speech?” or “Why I hate Public Speaking”. The quality is always amazing. We do, however, ask that no school uniforms be worn and that participants do not wear any form of costume or read in the style of a monologue or theatrical speech. Junior speakers have up to three minutes and seniors have five minutes.
The one drawback of being at the Amédée Beaudoin Community Centre is that we are above a firehall and beside a railroad track. Some years all runs smoothly, others not so. One year we had a very long, noisy train and two fire calls. Last year a returning speaker could hear the train whistle and knew immediately the start would be delayed.
Juniors speak first at 4:15 p.m. followed by a short break to allow the judges to review their notes. This gives the parents and friends time to visit and have a few refreshments before the seniors speak at 5:30 p.m. Another short break after the seniors lets the judges make their final decisions.
The group of 20 students will speak on a wide range of topics. Attending the competition would mean supporting our local high school students and possibly a future leader in our community! The Canadian Federation of University Women – Sherbrooke & District is extending a warm welcome to the community to support our 26th annual Public Speaking Competition. To hear what is on the minds of this year’s participants, plan to be at Amédée Beaudoin Community Centre, 10 Samuel-gratham, Lennoxville on Wednesday, May 2 at 4:15 p.m. Please bring your friends and family and encourage these interesting wordsmiths.
This article is the fourth in a series about CFUW Sherbrooke & District, celebrating 50 years in 2018. Its vision is to be a dynamic club for all women in the Eastern Townships engaged in our community by promoting education and lifelong learning in a genderequal society. To learn more about CFUW Sherbrooke & District, please contact cfuwsherbrooke@gmail.com.