Nine young orators from public and private schools throughout Grand Bahama pulled out all the stops during the final round of Urban Renewal’s First Speech Competition on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Freeport Bible Church.
The competition is open to primary, junior and high school students and the winner of each category moves on to contend the Urban Renewal Authority’s National Competition in New Providence on April 15th.
Deputy Director of Urban Renewal Senator Kirkland Russell said he was amazed by the students’ skills after sitting in on the preliminary round a week earlier, and was even more impressed by the performances in the final round.
Senator Russell also commended the coaches, some of whom were present, for pouring into the youngsters and spoke of the prospects of forming a junior Toastmasters club in light of the untapped talent on display in the schools.
“We have to give our children every opportunity to express themselves and every opportunity to seek exposure. This is how we strengthen our young people and give them an opportunity to reach higher,” Senator Russell said.
“I’m just elated. I love the topics and the kids are doing a masterful job with expressing these topics. It’s just a good day.”
Competing in the Primary Division, Remea Evans, a student at Walter Parker Primary, represented the Constituency of Marco City; Lewis Yard Primary’s Hayden McIntosh represented Central Grand Bahama; and Sahnai Perpall of Walter Parker Primary represented Marco City.
In the Junior Division, three students entering from Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior High hailed from Central Grand Bahama — Philanco Russell, Briann Smith and Renaldo Mader.
In the Senior Division, representing Central Grand Bahama was St. George’s High student Hayden Forbes; Adrian Stuart represented Eight Mile Rock High; and Bishop Michael Eldon’s Taleah Cooper represented Marco City.
Perpall took home the title in the Primary Division; Russell walked away with the Junior High title; and Stuart emerged the winner in the Senior High Division.
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