Third former, Oscar Browne of the St. Martin’s Secondary walked away with the Flow/Lions Club St. Vincent South National Secondary Schools’ Public Speaking championship title, when he gained 412/500 points at the competition finals held at the Methodist Church Hall.
On his way to first place, he competed with Derissa James of the Union Island Secondary School, Elrose Millington of the Thomas Saunders Secondary School, Andre Bowman of the Mountain View Adventist Academy, Fayth English of the St. Vincent Girls’ High School and Kondolesha Browne of the Georgetown Secondary School.
The championship saw competition in speaking on the main topic: “Governance systems around the world were challenged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many governments bungled the economic, health and civil liberties response.”
Oscar, who had formerly been selected to present at the Primary Schools Public Speaking competition for his Alma Mata, the Georgetown Secondary School, never got his chance as he fell ill around that time. He therefore, saw this opportunity as one to be grabbed and grab he did.
Presenting as a quietly energetic and assertive individual, the fourteen-year old’s presentation seemed years beyond his age. He was expressive, emphatic, delivering with a tone of voice that was clear and attention-grabbing. Added to that, during his discourse he allowed the audience to realise that he was very familiar with his topic. He placed first in this round.
Similarly, his student-prepared speech entitled: “Mental Health Among Teenagers” which spoke of the plight of persons just like himself who were bombarded with influences that aided in destabilize their mental health. His rhetoric drove home salient points from which the audience couldn’t dismiss. He also placed first here.
His impromptu speech, “Manners Matter” seemed to have caught him off guard but a speedy recuperation saw him presenting worthwhile information.
In the end, having been adjudged winner, Oscar Brown became the first ever student of the St. Martin’s Secondary School to win the competition.
He received a certificate of participation from the Preliminary Round; a Final Round participation trophy; and the coveted Lion Cyprian Galton Michael DeFreitas, MJF Trophy, a symbol of Public Speaking supremacy in SVG, which his school will hold for the ensuing year.
As for his winnings from sponsor FLOW, Oscar will be awarded a two-year scholarship of $2,000 each year. His school, the SMSS will also be entitled to receive a sum of $3,000 for the development and execution of a school project. This, with presentation and approval of project plans.
Other competition winners were: Kondolesha Browne and Fayth English, who created history in the competition by tying for second place.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines looks forward to the 2023 contest.