SPEECH AND DEBATE

A VOICE OF PURPOSE

BY LENNARD FINK, SPEECH, DEBATE AND MODEL UN COORDINATOR

Zaki, Grade 7

Zaki, Grade 12

One of our school’s longest standing traditions is Speech and Debate, and perhaps no student has achieved more success in this discipline in STS’ history than Zaki Lakhani ’20.

Keen from his early years, his career in public speaking began in Elementary School when he joined The Ultimate Speaking Club (TUSC). Always eager to put in the work required, he excelled and presented polished and confident performances.

ZAKI LAKHANI ’20 ACHIEVEMENTS

GRADE 10

2nd place overall at International

Independent Schools’ Public Speaking

Competition, the largest event of its kind globally, held in Winnipeg; also received St.

Margaret’s Trophy for 1st place Speaker

Under 16

4th place overall and Grand Finalist at World’s Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championships in Cape Town, South Africa, representing Canada; awarded World Champion in Interpretive Reading

GRADE 11

1st place at Alberta Public Speaking

Championships, in the Impromptu category

At one particular assembly, Zaki presented his own advertisement to sell a chair. Throughout the spiel, his sense of humour had the audience in the palm of his hands, engaged and laughing out loud.

Zaki formally joined Speech and Debate in Grade 7 and his enthusiasm was evident from the first meeting in September 2015. Since that time, he has achieved outstanding success at local, provincial, national, and international events. At his still young age, he is recognized as the top public speaker in Canada and one of the top public speakers in the world.

He is a wonderful role model and mentor for our younger students, with his generous and inclusive demeanour. He enjoys coaching and encouraging them to find out what they are capable of. Zaki has earned the respect of students and coaches locally, nationally, and throughout the world. Recently, he received the Mike Dorval Award. Voted upon by coaches of the Alberta Debate and Speech Association, the award Top 5 overall at Canadian Senior National Public Speaking Championships in Winnipeg, 2nd in Persuasive Speaking category

Grand Finalist and ranked top 10 overall at World’s Individual Debate and Public Speaking Competition, this time in Toronto; placed 2nd for Impromptu Speaking

Selected as a Team Canada delegate at Debate Trials held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, placed 3rd overall with partner Chelli Shapiro ’19

3rd place o verall at Alberta Oxford Cup Debate Qualifiers in Edmonton Semifinalist Team with Chelli at Canadian

Oxford Cup Debate in Toronto; 7th place speaker overall recognizes the student who has contributed most to this discipline in the province and reflects the high regard for Zaki by our peers. Representing the Canadian Speech and Debate community, Andrew Kaplan, President of the Independent Schools Public Speaking League, stated, “Zaki is not only an incredibly gifted debater and public speaker, he is also one of the most kind and respectful students I have ever met. Even though speech and debate is highly competitive, Zaki is always modest and greets everyone with his bright, characteristic smile". Kerstin Whydem West, Past President of the International Independent Schools Public Speaking League, has continually championed Zaki. Witnessing his growth since he first competed at the Junior National Tournament, she too recognized his caring demeanor and leadership among competitors. Notably, Zaki is the only STS student in our history to qualify three times for the World’s Individual Ranked in the top 25 teams with Chelli Shapiro ’19 at prestigious Oxford Cup Debate in England

GRADE 12

1st place at Alberta Provincial Speech

Tournament for Impromptu Speech, and presented with Mike Dorval Award

T op overall Canadian Speaker at Canadian Senior National Public Speaking Competition, winning Benny Claman Trophy

Qualified to represent Canada f or the third time at the 2020 World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship, in Shanghai, China, unfortunately cancelled in

April due to COVID-19 Public Speaking and Debating Championships. Throughout his participation in Speech and Debate, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, Zaki has been a wonderful ambassador of StrathconaTweedsmuir School.

As Valedictorian of our 2020 graduating class, Zaki now embarks on his next big adventure, pursuing post-secondary studies at Harvard University. We will follow Zaki’s future endeavours with much interest and wish him continued success. One thing we know for sure is that he will live a life of purpose, making us extremely proud.

KIRKLAND STEINBERG ’20 ACHIEVEMENTS

GRADE 10

1st place in Duet Acting with Griffin el Baroudi ’20 at Provincial Speech Tournament

GRADE 11

1st place in Duet Acting with Griffin el Baroudi ’ 20 at the Provincial Speech Tournament

Advanced to finals at Canadian Senior National Pub lic Speaking Championships, in Oral Interpretation of Prose

1st place in Solo Acting and 2nd place in Radio Broadcasting at International Independent Schools Public Speaking Championships in Toronto

GRADE 12

7th place o verall and 2nd for both Radio

Broadcasting and Dramatic Interpretation at

International Independent Schools Public

Speaking Competition

Qualified to represent Canada at the World’s Individual Public Speaking and Debating Championships in Shanghai, China but was cancelled due to COVID-19

Our Speech and Debate program thrives with outstanding students who work hard to build skills in six unique categories, including solo and duet acting - and these are where another graduate, Kirk Steinberg ’20, thrives.

A natural performer, Kirk knows how to appeal to an audience and he has done very well in many competitions since Middle School. With his quick wit, expressive style, and knack for impersonations and voices, he has won the annual STS Speech Day People’s Choice Award three times, putting on the favourite performance of his peers, alumni and employees.

We congratulate Kirk for all his achievements while at STS and wish him continued growth and success as he moves on to study Business at University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. Perhaps he can use the keen ability to capture an audience for future business pitches and success!