Tatura Primary School Year 6 student Lilijana Keane has come runner-up in the Lions V District Junior Public Speaking State Final, held on Sunday, September 17.
The Maiden Gully hosted the final – Marong Lions Club, where Lilijana delivered a speech on a strange world record set in history.
“I chose to do my speech on the world’s tallest man,” Lilijana said.
“And I delivered it as if I was the man, which gave it a cool perspective of the actual person.
“I really enjoyed the process of writing the speech, getting help from a teacher to bump it up a little, and then performing it in front of my class and then total strangers.
“At first, I was nervous, but the more I practised my speech, it got easier.”
The Junior Public Speaking Program aims to encourage students to participate in public speaking, help build their confidence and allow them the opportunity to hone their natural skills in front of a variety of audiences.
The freedom to present their speech, unaided and uninhibited, allows the audience to see their unique, charismatic personalities.
Students get to use their imagination, as well as take part in opportunities that expand their research skills and knowledge.
Lilijana went through three stages before coming runner-up in the final and said the whole competition was a lot of fun.
“I didn’t even know it was a competition at the start — our teacher tricked us,” she said.
“That probably helped our nerves at the beginning.
“But once you get up there, it doesn’t feel as scary.
“I learnt a lot.”
23°C