ESPANOLA—Three students from Manitoulin Island competed on April 15 at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 39 in the District H and K Finals to represent Northern Ontario at the Ontario Provincial Public Speaking Competition: Eric Wahl (Primary Grades 1-3), Mason Leighton (Intermediate Grades (7-9) and Cassandra Kuntsi (Senior Grades 10-12). This competition was “one on one” between each of the four category winners from District H (Sudbury, Manitoulin, Blind River, Sault Ste. Marie, Parry Sound) and District K (Hearst, Timmins, Wawa, Kapuskasing, Hornepayne).
In the primary division Eric won first place with his speech on ‘Shopping Trips.’ In the intermediate division Mason won first place with his speech on ‘Laziness.’ Cassandra placed second with her speech on ‘Leaving the Nest.’ Having attended this competition, I can say that it is quite the accomplishment to stand up and speak for 3-7 minutes straight from memory. All of the competitors performed exceptionally well and deserve full credit for their efforts. It is a skill that most people do not possess and some fear altogether.
Eric and Mason represent Northern Ontario and now move on to the provincial finals which are to be held in Trenton, Ontario on May 5. This level will be the winners from the four “areas” within the province. Good luck to Mason and Eric as they each compete against three other competitors for the right to be claimed Provincial Public Speaking Champion.
