For immediate release: April 30th, 2025
CANADA’S FRENCH PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST TAKES PLACE IN NOVA SCOTIA
Students from across the province participate in French public speaking contest.
Halifax. April 30th, 2025: Over a hundred French second-language and first-language students in grades 5-12 competed in this year’s provincial Concours d’art oratoire, Canada’s French public speaking contest. The event took place at Mount Saint Vincent University. This year marks the 41st year of the annual provincial French public speaking competition. The Concours d’art oratoire began in Nova Scotia in 1983. It has been an annual event ever since, missing only one year in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Canadian Parents for French (CPF), Nova Scotia President Bailey Ross welcomed the participating students at the opening ceremony. Bailey Ross is a graduate of l’Université Sainte-Anne and Acadia University. He presently teaches French as a First Language with the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP). President of the CPF National Board, Kate Ashley also attended the Concours d’art oratoire as a volunteer.
After presenting their speeches, students, families and teachers enjoyed a live performance with Yves Rossignol, musician. Yves Rossignol and his band played a great selection of French songs influenced by Acadian, Cajun, Zydeco, Rock, and Blues Music. For the past 20 years, he has been sharing his music in many different schools across Canada.
The provincial Concours d’art oratoire requires the support of many volunteers each year. CPF Nova Scotia would like to thank this year’s volunteers: Rima Maejess, Salma Khattab, Herve Kazungu, Lucie Taussig, Laetitia Richa Ghosn, Simgbe Pinguedinam, the N’da family Api, Nathan and Noah, Amazu Mawuli, Sophie Beaulé, Mark Mercer, Joan Dobbie, Guillaume Fleury, Julie Holland, Terry Leahey, Stephanie Burke, the Loo family Henry, Marie, Alicia and Sarah, Chinyere Coldwell, Tony Orlando, Paul Hollett, Isabelle Pedot, Isabelle Bilodeau, Laurine Tonnelé, Jodi Lawlor, and Alexanne Turbide. This event attracts bilingual volunteers from the Francophone community, local universities and high schools. The volunteers participate as judges, MCs, timekeepers and registration staff. Some volunteers have supported the Concours d’art oratoire for many years.
Students from grades 5 to 12 received medals and prizes. The winners in grade 11/12 also receive renewable and entrance scholarships to Université Sainte-Anne and Université de Moncton valued at $20,000. The grade 11/12 first place winners will be participating in the National Concours d’art oratoire. The winners of the National Concours d’art oratoire will be announced in June on the Canadian Parents for French website, www.cpf.ca
The grade 11/12 1st place winners who will represent Nova Scotia are: Dar Berezovska (Citadel High School), Heather Clarke (Halifax Grammar School), Dorcas Olatunji (Charles P Allen High School), Grayer Parsons (Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy), and Miriam Souhi (École secondaire du Sommet).
Our grade 11/12 2nd and 3rd place winners are: Harshita Chadha (Citadel High School), Kiara Zhang (Halifax Grammar School), Elizabeth Gorelik (Charles P Allen High School), Maxwell Boyd (Charles P Allen High School), Thomas Holder (Charles P Allen High School), Charlize Donat (Centre scolaire de la Rive-Sud) and Laurie Leys (École secondaire du Mosaïque).
The complete list of provincial Concours d’art oratoire winners can be found at ns.cpf.ca. Photos will be posted on the CPF Nova Scotia Facebook page as well as ns.cpf.ca.
Sponsorship for this event was received from: ACUFC, Nova Scotia Education and Early Childhood Development, Université Sainte-Anne, Université de Moncton, Mount Saint Vincent University and Canadian Heritage. With the continuing support of our sponsors and volunteers, Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia is able to organize and present the provincial Concours d’art oratoire.
Félicitations à tous nos lauréats!
See the full list of winners here.
Lisez le communiqué de presse en français.
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Definitions:
ACUFC Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne
AVRCE Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
CBVRCE Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education
CCRCE Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education
CSAP Conseil Scolaire Acadien provincial
HRCE Halifax Regional Centre for Education
SRCE Strait Regional Centre for Education
SSRCE South Shore Regional Centre for Education
TCRCE Tri-County Regional Centre for Education
For more information and photos, please contact Rebecca Lancaster, Executive Director at 902 453-2048 or toll free at 1-888-CPF-5233.
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is the national network of volunteers that values French as an integral part of Canada and is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French second language opportunities for young Canadians.
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia
8 Flamingo Drive, Halifax, NS B3M 4N8
Telephone: (902) 453-2048
Toll-free: 1-877-CPF-5233
Fax: (902) 455-2789
E-mail: cpfexec@ns.cpf.ca
Website: ns.cpf.ca
Photo credit: Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia
Left to right back row: Grayer Parsons, Maxwell Boyd, Charlize Donat and Laurie Leys
Left to right front row: Miriam Souhi, Dorcas Olatunji, Elizabeth Gorelik, Kiara Zhang, Harshita Chadha, Dar Berezovska and Heather Clarke
Missing: Thomas Holder
