South Surrey Youth Showcase Skills in Speech Competition

Students from diverse backgrounds participated in a speech competition organized by the U-TOP Institute on February 1, 2025, at the South Surrey Recreation and Arts Centre. Dubbed “The Power of Voice Open Speech Competition,” the event aimed to foster confidence and celebrate community among young speakers.

Co-founders Christine Zhang and Joy Zhou expressed their motivation for creating the competition, highlighting a lack of public speaking training in the area. “When we started in this area, we noticed there was no kind of training like this,” Zhou stated. Since its inception seven years ago, U-TOP has been dedicated to providing public-speaking classes, and the founders felt equipped to host a larger event this year.

The preparation for the competition began in November 2025. The organizers reached out to local schools and community members to gauge interest. “We want young people to consider their daily life, not focus on social media,” Zhang explained. The positive response from the community encouraged the organizers to proceed with their plans.

With support from local schools and White Rock’s Toastmasters, the speech competition became a reality. The event welcomed participants from Grade 3 through Grade 12, divided into two categories: junior (Grades 3-6) and senior (Grades 7-12). This year’s theme, “My Community, My Story,” allowed students to explore their personal narratives.

Before the competition began, the event’s MCs, Jenny Peng and Corrine Hou, along with judge Rick LeBlanc, addressed the audience. Zhang emphasized the event’s goal: “We hope to see not just confident speakers out there but young people who are learning about courage, empathy, and the confidence to share their stories.” LeBlanc added, “This is an event to celebrate – celebrate the great community and promote the importance of public speaking.”

Once the opening remarks concluded, participants took the stage to present their speeches, showcasing a range of confidence and experience. The audience experienced a blend of serious topics and lighthearted moments, reflecting the diversity of perspectives and personalities among the young speakers.

At the end of the day, trophies were awarded to the top performers in both divisions. The junior winners included:
– 1st Place: William Liu (Grade 6, Southridge School) with “A Good Community Means a Good Life”
– 2nd Place: Sophia Yue (Grade 6, Tatalu Elementary) with “My Pal, My Principal”
– 3rd Place: Sunny Hui (Grade 6, Ray Shepherd Elementary) with “A Problem in My Community and How We Can Solve It”

In the senior division, the winners were:
– 1st Place: Josie Qu (Grade 8, Semiahmoo Secondary) with “A Pathway Home”
– 2nd Place: Arthur Wang (Grade 11, Semiahmoo Secondary) with “A Community That Cares”
– 3rd Place: Zilin Luo (Grade 8, Semiahmoo Secondary) with “Community Bonds Us Together”

Following the award ceremony, Zhang and Zhou announced that all donations collected from students signing up for the competition, as well as external contributions, would be directed to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation.

The co-founders expressed their hopes for the future of the event, aiming for it to become an annual fixture in the community’s calendar of activities. With a focus on personal growth and community engagement, the competition not only showcased young talents but also brought together families and friends in a celebration of shared stories and experiences.