A pair of Surrey students took top honours in May in the Concours d’art oratoire, a pan-provincial French public-speaking competition.
French Immersion students Julia Albert, in Grade 9 at Earl Marriott Secondary, and Kyle Boutilier, in Grade 10 at Kwantlen Park Secondary, both won first place in their respective categories.
The pair were among a dozen Surrey students to compete in the provincial finals, held May 2 at SFU Surrey.
Competition judge Dr. Renée Hamilton-Clark described making it to the finals as “an incredible feat.”
“We congratulate everyone who participated; they are all winners,” she said.
Patti Holm, president of Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon, said
Concours d’art oratoire – held across Canada – aims to help students develop their creative and public speaking abilities, as well as self-confidence.
Participants choose, develop and present a three- to five-minute speech on any subject they are interested in.
In all, 10,000 B.C. students competed; 240 made it to the finals.
Other Surrey finalists were Grace Kemp (Grade 6 Early Immersion, Laronde Elementary), Amélie Cyr-Lo (Grade 6 Francophone, Peace Arch Elementary), Danica Renaud Gould (Grade 6 Francophone, Peace Arch), Sam Albert (Grade 7 Early Immersion, Laronde), Joanna Wang (Grade 7 Late Immersion, Laronde), Mariam Ayubi (Grade 8 Immersion, Kwantlen Park Secondary), Daniella Zinetta (Earl Marriott), Coralie Tcheune (Grade 9 Francophone, Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary), Ayesha Warren (Grade 11 Immersion, Lord Tweedsmuir) and Jenny Zhu (Grade 12 Early Immersion, Earl Marriott).
The competition at the national level is open to top Grade 12 students.
