10,000 students from across British Columbia competed, 240 made the provincial finals, and three students from North Vancouver took home top awards in this year's pan-provincial French public speaking competition, Concours d'art oratoire.
Provincial Winners from North Vancouver:
Nia Wagner - 1st Place
Grade 8 Immersion, Handsworth Secondary
“La Condemnation arbitraire”
Photographed with CPF BC-YK President Patti Holm (left)
Matthew Wilson - 1st Place
Grade 11 Immersion, Handsworth Secondary
“La Motivation”
Photographed with CPF BC-YK President Patti Holm (left)
Aelicia Abdurahman Schmitt - 3rd Place
Grade 11/12 Francophone, Handsworth Secondary
“La Réalité n’est qu’une perception”
Photo Unavailable
"In addition to the cultural and language benefits, Concours d'art oratoire helps students develop their creative and public speaking abilities, as well as self-confidence," said Patti Holm, President of Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon.
"It's an incredible feat to make it to the Provincial finals -- taking home a medal is a real achievement. We congratulate everyone who participated; they are all winners. Félicitations!" added Concours d'art oratoire chief judge, Dr. Renée Hamilton-Clark.
This year marked the 33rd anniversary of the Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon sponsored Concours d'art oratoire. The provincial finals were hosted Saturday, May 7th at SFU Surrey. A big thank you to all of the local volunteers and teachers, as well as the BC Ministry of Education, Canadian Heritage, and le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique for their financial support.
2016 Provincial finalists from North Vancouver:
Hannah Fitzpatrick – Grade 6 Francophone – “Le Pont de la confederation” – Cleveland Elementary
Claire Ambrozic – Grade 6 Early Immersion – “Au revoir Peter Rabbit : le développement au village Edgemont – Cleveland Elementary
Lewis Arnold – Grade 10 Immersion – “Au secours, le concours!” – Handsworth Secondary
Max Richards – Grade 8 Francophone – “L’Évolution de l’automobile” – Argyle Secondary
Kian Vahidi – Grade 6 Late Immersion – “Les Droits des enfants” – Braemar School
Stefania Stirban – Grade 7 Early Immersion – “Le Rédempteur” – Cleveland Elementary
Nora Goddard-Despot – Grade 9 Immersion – “Est-ce que les enfants devraient se spécialiser dans un sport?” – Handsworth Secondary
