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Grades 9-10 English Speech Contest: Exploring the Universe - Big & Small

November 14, 2024

On the afternoon of November 13, with warm sunshine and a gentle autumn breeze, the annual English Speech Contest for Grades 9 and 10 was held in the newly built Hsi Auditorium. For many students, this was their first time stepping into the auditorium, and both contestants and audience members were filled with excitement, eager to witness a showcase of knowledge and passion.



Inspiring Theme

This year’s competition theme, " Big and Small" challenged students to explore a scientific topic of their choice, ranging from the vast reaches of space to the tiny mysteries of the micro-world. For the first time, the contest incorporated technology closely into the theme, offering both a challenging and flexible topic. The goal was to inspire curiosity as well as assess the students’ exploration skills, observational abilities, and communication talents. The contestants shared their passion for science, with topics spanning from space exploration to the science of psychology.









Pre-contest Support

To help contestants prepare, on November 11th, the English Department invited Zane, a Grade 12 student and winner of the last three high school speech contests, to share his insights. Zane offered valuable tips on how to approach the topic, craft a strong speech, and engage the audience effectively.



Compelling Presentations

The competition kicked off at 2:20 PM, with each contestant taking the stage to deliver their speech. Speaking in fluent English with unique perspectives, they presented on a wide range of topics. Some contestants used data to examine social phenomena or discuss scientific research, while others connected complex scientific concepts to everyday life through storytelling. A few even drew from personal experiences to highlight the role of psychology in daily interactions.





The speeches covered diverse fields, including biology, physics, geography, computer science, and psychology. The students’ creative approaches and engaging delivery made complex scientific ideas both relatable and exciting. The atmosphere in the auditorium was electric, with the audience responding enthusiastically—raising hands to ask questions and offering applause after each presentation.







Award Winners

After careful evaluation by the judges, the winners were announced. William from Class 9-8 took first place, while Raymond from Class 9-10 and Spring from Class 10-5 earned second place. Third place was awarded to Bella from Class 10-11, Daniel from Class 10-1, and Alice from Class 10-12. These awards recognize the students’ hard work, impressive performances, and their ability to effectively communicate their passion for science.






Congratulations to all the winners, and a special thank you to all the students and teachers who helped make this event possible. This competition was not only a demonstration of language skills but also a celebration of scientific curiosity and exploration. We look forward to more events like this, where students can continue to explore new ideas and share their discoveries with the world.



(Written by 9(6)Felicity,9(6)Arianna,9(8)Joy,9(9)Max    Pictures by 10(1)Milly,9(9)Lola,9(1)Bingyi        Edited by Tongyan Wang     Supervised by Lijia Yu       Reviewed by Ying Gu, Chenli Shen      Proofread by Cody Allen Turner)