The historic Senate Chamber at Stormont Parliament Buildings once again played host to one of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious youth public speaking competitions, held in memory of the late Edgar Graham—a respected academic, politician, and advocate for young people. The event brought together 30 talented competitors from schools across Northern Ireland, each demonstrating eloquence, confidence, and a passion for important issues shaping today’s world. Wellington College Belfast students, Jessica Ikeaba and Beth Law were delighted to take part in such a prestigious event, and both have proven that they have the ability excel under intense pressure.
As a school community, we are very proud of Jessica’s achievement in being named the winner of this year’s competition. This is an extremely significant achievement and demonstrates our belief that when we aspire for excellence, there’s no limit to what our students can achieve. Jessica’s speech, The Façade of Beauty was hailed by the adjudicator as, “outstanding, passionate and captivating” and fully deserving of first place.
The achievement of Jessica in winning the prestigious public speaking competition is nothing short of exceptional. Her victory against a field of 30 competitors representing 15 schools from across Northern Ireland underscores both her exceptional talent and the power of her message. To command attention and deliver a winning speech on a subject as complex and resonant as The Facade of Beauty in such a significant venue is a testament to her courage, intellectual depth, and rhetorical skill. This is a monumental success that not only brings distinction to Jessica but also highlights the high standard of public discourse and competitive spirit thriving among our students. Her masterful delivery of The Facade Beauty captivated the adjudicator and audience, demonstrating a maturity and insight far beyond her years. Winning a competition of this calibre, set against the powerful backdrop of the Stormont Parliament Buildings, is a powerful validation of her hard work and dedication to the art of public speaking. Her triumph serves as an inspiration, proving that a compelling argument, eloquently expressed, can resonate deeply and achieve profound recognition. Jessica’s success marks her as a rising star, and the impact of her thoughtful and engaging discourse will undoubtedly continue to be felt long after the applause in the Senate Chamber has faded.
Beth Law’s impressive achievement of being highly commended for her compelling speech, What Does It Mean To Be Right, is a fantastic recognition of her talent and dedication. To earn such high praise in a competitive speaking environment demonstrates her ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity, depth, and persuasive skill. This commendation is a significant honour, affirming the quality of her intellectual engagement with a challenging topic and the effectiveness of her delivery. Beth’s success and thought-provoking delivery highlight her potential as a powerful communicator.
In their closing remarks, the adjudicator commended the competitors not only for the quality of their speeches but also for the empathy and awareness they demonstrated. They noted that the event continues to uphold Edgar Graham’s legacy by promoting public speaking as a means of fostering leadership, confidence, and a commitment to community service among young people.
The Senate Chamber, with its rich political history and atmosphere of respectful debate, provided a fitting backdrop for the competition. For many students, speaking in such a prestigious setting was a moment of great pride—an opportunity to stand where legislators and leaders have stood, and to have their voices heard on issues that matter deeply to them which reinforces the magnitude and significance of what our students have achieved.
Reflecting on the success of the WCB students, Head of English, Miss Grace Stevenson expressed her pride in their accomplishments. Miss Stevenson also acknowledged the school’s strong tradition of excellence in public speaking, noting that such achievements highlight the confidence, intellect, and creativity of our students. She added that she is looking forward to future competitions, confident that many more students will continue to thrive in this area.
