RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT
Students Win Top Awards At Provincial French Public Speaking Competition

10,000 students from across British Columbia competed, 260 made the provincial finals, and seven students from Richmond took home top awards in this year's pan-provincial French public speaking competition, Concours d'art oratoire.

"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 2nd at SFU Surrey.

We thank all 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 Richmond:

• Joshwa Song - Grade 6 Early Immersion - "Le Terrorisme" - Homma Elementary
• Abigail Chan - Grade 7 Late Immersion - "Les Médias sociaux - Diefenbaker Elementary
• Jasmine Veilleux - Grade 7 Francophone - "Qui est vraiment responsabe de vos problèmes de santé?" - Dixon Elementary
• Sasha Soda - Grade 8 Core French - "Les Écoles au Japon" - MacNeill Secondary
• Ivan Cheng - Grade 9 Core French - "L'Apprentissage de musique à un jeune âge" - MacNeill Secondary
• Nawal Mustapha - Grade 9 Francophone - "La femme de fer" - McRoberts Secondary
• Aliyah Nanji - Grade 10 Core French - "L'Anxiété sociale" - MacNeill Secondary
• Eva Leitin - Grade 10 Immersion - "Ne me dîtes pas qu'ils sont sexy!" - McMath Secondary
• Mark Rubinchik - Grade 11 Core French - "Pluton" - MacNeill Secondary
• Maggan Sandhu - Grade 11 Immersion - "L'Importance de la lecture" - McRoberts Secondary
• Helen Luo - Grade 12 Late Immersion - "La forme modern de l'esclavage" - McRoberts Secondary
• Karol Patriarca - Grade 12 Early Immersion - "La Liberté d'expression" - McRoberts Secondary
• Tal Mader - Grade 12 Francophone - "Mon indifference" - McRoberts Secondary