Public speaking is frequently said to be the number one fear for most people. This is not so for St James College students who participated in the annual Lions Youth of the Year public speaking competition earlier this year.

Among St James College entrants were captains, Grace Nanyama and John Cahig, vice-captain Keiriana Dargin-Clark and Year 12 students Alejandro Guerra and Shanisha Berry.

Tasked with preparing a five-minute speech on a current affairs topic of their choice, Grace and Keiriana chose to speak about the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum, and John, Alejandro and Shanisha chose to deliver their speeches on bridging the gender pay gap and homelessness.

Grace and Keiriana won their respective events, progressing them to zone and regional events. Grace also received the Public Speaking Award at each level of the competition.

About the Lions Youth of the Year Program

The Lions Youth of the Year program is designed to bring forth the next generation of outstanding young Australians by fostering leadership skills in students as they journey through their senior high school years.

After submitting an entry to participate, students are interviewed by a panel of judges in a job interview style session where they share their achievements and aspirations. Students then deliver a speech and answer three current affairs impromptu questions in front of a live audience. As winners from each level of the competition progress, they compete at District, State and National level with the winner becoming Youth Ambassador for the project in the ensuing year.

Watch Grace and Keiriana deliver their speeches on the topic of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.