Adam Ravat was crowned the winner with a “powerful speech” titled ‘My Weekend, My Time’

Pictured from left to right; third place Demir Seyranoglu, Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam, first place Adam Ravat, and second place Helena Carvalho

An Enfield student is one step away from the grand final of the UK’s largest youth public speaking event.

Adam Ravat, a year ten student representing St Ignatius College in Turkey Street, was crowned winner of the regional final of the Jack Petchey Foundation’s ‘Speak Out Challenge’ which took place at the college earlier this month.

Over 30,000 14-15-year-olds across 500 state schools in London and Essex take part in the annual event, hosted by the UK’s leading public speaking and communication charity, Speakers Trust, and funded and supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation.

Adam Ravat was crowned regional champion with a “powerful speech” titled ‘My Weekend, My Time’, with the key message of the speech being a call for “reducing excessive weekend homework” to allow students time for rest, social activities, and personal growth, emphasising the importance of balance in education.

Adam’s “eloquence and passion” caught the attention of the expert judges, including Michael Fox, Carys Bevan, Khadacia Smith, Cindy Rampersaud, Kiara Lee Minto, Jacqui Campbell and Richard Bassett.

The aim of the training and competition is to amplify young voices.

The runner-up was Helena Carvalho, representing St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls, with a speech titled ‘Try Your Best!’ and third place went to Demir Seyranoglu, also from St Ignatius College, with a speech about the negative impacts on excessive phone use.

The speakers were congratulated by Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam, who said: “Well done to everyone who took part, you have been brilliant – what a great night!”

The online semi-finals will feature Adam as well as 37 other regional champions, before the final 15 are selected for the grand final, taking place at the prestigious Cambridge Theatre in the West End on 7th July.

At the grand final, Adam could be competing not only for the honour of becoming this year’s Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge grand champion but also for the chance to win £5,000 (a £2,000 bursary for himself and £3,000 for his school).

Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge is the largest public speaking event of its kind in the world. Now in its 18th year, over 30,000 year ten students annually compete for over £12,000 worth of prizes.

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