For immediate release: May 6th, 2024
CANADA’S FRENCH PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST TAKES PLACE IN NOVA SCOTIA
Students from across the province participate in French public speaking contest
Halifax. May 6th, 2024: Over seventy 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 40th 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 Vice President Salma Khattab welcomed the participating students at the opening ceremony. Salma Khattab was a National Concours d’art oratoire winner in 2021. Salma shared her experience as a Concours participant with the audience. She impressed upon the students how confidence in public speaking has affected many aspects of her life, her education and career opportunities.
After presenting their speeches, students, families and teachers enjoyed a magic sow with Remi Boudreau, Magician and Illusionist. Remi Boudreau is one of the Canada’s top magical entertainers. For the past 20 years, he has been sharing his incredible and unique illusions in over 1000 different schools across Canada. Remi kicks off a two-week school tour in the CCRCE and HRCE starting Monday, May 6.
The provincial Concours d’art oratoire requires the support of many volunteers each year. CPF Nova Scotiawould like to thank this year’s volunteers: Étienne Beaulé, Sophie Beaulé, Estèle Jehan Boulon, Jan Claes, Jordan Creelman, Veronika Deliyannakis, Joan Dobbie, Guillaume Fleury, Chelsea Heighton, Julie Holland, Andrée Jacques, Émelie La Rossignol, Terry Leahey, Enzo Le Doze, the Loo family Henry, Marie, Sarah and Alicia, Cecile Chinyere Noah, Tony Orlando, Isabelle Pedot, Moussa Sangaré Ponce, Luc Tardif, the Turbide family Stéphane, Marina, Alexanne and Zachary, Gail Vanasse and Bénédikte Veraemer. 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 scholarships to Université Sainte-Anne and Université de Moncton. The national competition will be held virtually again this year. The winners of the National Concours d’art oratoire will be announced June 14th, 2024 on the Canadian Parents for French website, www.cpf.ca
The grade 11/12 1st place winners who will represent Nova Scotia are: Haeun Cho (Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School), Seba Al-Ameri (Charles P Allen High School), Ciaran MacDonald (Cape Breton Highlands Academy), and Yvan Karam (École secondaire Mosaïque).
Our grade 11/12 2nd and 3rd place winners are: Chloe Miller (Charles P Allen High School) Gabriella Anguelova (Charles P Allen High School), Marlee MacIsaac (Charles P Allen High School), Dakota Gills (Yartmouth Consolidated Memorial High School), Samantha Keiyele (École secondaire Mosaïque), and Isabelle Trudel (Charles P Allen High School).
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.
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.
Félicitations à tous nos lauréats!
~35~
Read the full press release here