JBH Speech Competition: 10 days to go!

It’s ten days to go until the JBH Speech Competition and our contestants are getting ready for the greatest public speaking challenge of their lives!

The JBH combines prepared speeches on contentious subjects, challenging heckling from the floor and spontaneous, argumentative responses from the speakers, into a most entertaining evening. The prize is awarded to the contestant who delivers the best argument, demonstrates adept handling of hecklers and manages not be diverted, completing their delivery with aplomb. You are welcome to watch the video of last year’s competition on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/JBH_2023. 

All members of the Leighton Park community are warmly welcomed to join us in Main Hall on Wednesday 20th March at 7.00pm for the 2024 competition.

This year we have six speakers taking part offering a broad selection of topics. They have been selected from an initial applicant pool of 15 based on their written submissions and we’re excited to see how their verbal delivery will evolve!

With the exception of veteran participant, Will, who is now in the Upper Sixth, all our 2024 contestants are in the Lower Sixth and new to the JBH. Will’s experience stands him in good stead for the upcoming evening when he will argue that the purchasing and possession of handguns should be legalised in the UK. “I think that the JBH develops very important skills not only speech writing but reacting to the audience. There’s a lot of heckling, so it’s in your ability to respond in a way that still supports your argument. Your argument may not always be correct so it is in your ability to persuade the audience that you do have a bit of an edge over them. I’m feeling quite confident. The most nerve-wrecking part is about the preparation and how you are going to lay out your ideas on the actual day.”

Hailey, whose speech will explain why British colonisation is good, shared her feelings about the event: “I’m feeling a bit nervous about the competition but I’m also really glad that I managed to get in because I think it’ll be a good opportunity to make my public speaking better.”

Dillon, agreed enthusing: “My speech is on why social media should be banned for people under the age of 18. I think the JBH is an incredible opportunity and I think it takes a lot of skill to do public speaking especially when you are being heckled. I am not somebody who has a lot of experience in this area but I think it will be an incredible way to get some practice and to get started.”

Kimia, is also attracted by the heckling, putting her speech on abolishing the right to practise faith out there for the audience. “I’m really looking forward to the event, mainly because of the heckling, I think it’s going to be really good for expanding my knowledge on something  that I’m kind of passionate about, which is quite a controversial topic, but it’s going to be really exciting to hear other people’s opinions as well.”

Kemianna added, “I feel really excited for this competition, not only because I will have to think how I’m going to reply to the different types of heckling that I’m going to receive on my speech ‘The UK should adhere to open immigration’ but it’s something that will help me for my public speaking adventures that I want to look into in the future. As an English Literature student, developing your arguments and opinions and making your perspectives heard are things that are really important so it’s helping me not only in my subjects but in my confidence and the wider aspects of life as well.”  

Leander, whose topic is ‘Stop Smiling’ concluded, “I am really grateful for the opportunity to improve my confidence and eloquence. Having to cope with constant criticism—especially when there are so many counterarguments—will be difficult, but I have enjoyed the research and preparation.”