Three Comox Valley students placed in the top three for their categories in the semi-finals for this year's Concours d'art oratoire.
The semi finals were held on May 3 at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus. B茅atrice Sauvageau took third prize for grade 9/10 French Immersion with her speech "La r茅alit茅 des femmes afghanes." Hudson Van Tongeren took second in the grade 8 early French immersion category, with his speech called "Pourquoi toiut le monde a besoin d'un animal." Kate Szkwarek also took home second place for her grade 6 early French immersion entry "Comment l'intelligence artificielle a un impact sur la vie de tous les jours."
"We were thrilled to welcome nearly 200 students from across B.C. and the Yukon, representing school districts throughout the region," said a release from Canadian Parents for French, B.C. and Yukon. "Whether you won a medal or simply took to the stage, your dedication, preparation, and courage to speak in French are something to be proud of."
The Concours is an annual French-language public speaking contest, held across Canada, open to youth from grades 6-12 who are learning French in school. Student participants choose, develop, and present an "en fran莽ais" three to five minute speech. The competition typically progresses through the following stages: 1) Students participate in their local classroom 2) Top students move on to the school district competition 3) Top students move on to the provincial competition 4) Top students in grade 11 and 12 move on to the national competition.
"It is said that one of our biggest fears is public speaking. And what鈥檚 the best way to get over our fears and become more resilient and confident? By facing them head-on!" CPF's BC and Yukon website says. "It is a great way to celebrate our participants鈥� many hours of hard work and official language bilingualism in Canada!"
Select winners will receive a cash prize from Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon. Winners in Grade 11 and 12 go on to compete at Nationals. CPF estimates that around 85,000 students take part in the competition across Canada each year.
