Speech comp takes aim at adults

Have you heard? Stop gossiping. Have you heard grown-ups are weird? Why, why, why, do my parents make me feel like a baby?

These were the topics discussed at the 37th annual Waimea Interschool Speech Contest held earlier this month.

Thirteen primary school students, who had already taken out top places at their local school competitions, took to the stage in front of friends, whānau, and strangers in the Waimea College library on Wednesday evening to deliver a speech of between 2.5 and 3.5 minutes long.

Ultimately, it was Nelson Christian Academy’s Blessing Thang Aw who claimed the winning title at the event, organised by the Richmond Lions Club.

Her speech, titled ‘Why, why, why, do your parents always say no?’, was the right mix of reality, practicality, and wit.

She pointed out that if parents said yes just a little more there would be so much more time for coffee drinking, cleaning, and cooking. It earned her a $50 Paper Plus voucher.

Appleby School’s Juliet Duke, who took to the stage dressed in black with a red cape, reminded the audience that not all heroes wear capes, including her own hero - her nana.

She said, while she was not the biggest lady, her nana’s kindness and positivity was infectious to others and she was never too busy for those who needed help.

She even makes Weetbix in the middle of the night if the kids are hungry - what a supernan!

St Pauls’ Luca Barney encouraged the audience to follow their dreams to get the job they want, even if it seems “crazy”.

He listed a range of odd jobs - a dog food taster and scuba diving pizza deliverer - and shared that there are those who are paid to watch paint dry and sleep on the job by testing beds.

He said, even a lifeguard at the Olympics has their place in the world.

Richmond School’s Sophia Colville was awarded second place with Gracie Quinney from Ranzau School placing third. They won a $30 and $20 Paper Plus vouchers respectively.