On Monday, May 14, Lake Cowichan Secondary School (LCSS) students participated in the district finals of the Hector McIntosh Public Speaking competition. Students in the district have been participating in this event for the past 30 years and it is one at which students get a chance to speak about personal interest topics.
Lauren Frost and Bailey Callihoo, students of LCSS, made it through the district semi-finals and on to the finals. They participated with 10 other students from other schools around the Cowichan Valley, in 4 different categories. Those other students were, in Grade 6 and under, Kailee Truhn, Aiden Doyle, and Rafeal Park. In the Grade 7 and 8 level, were Parker Schmidt, Michelle Purchase, and Liam Brockley. In the Grade 9 and 10 level, were Bailey Callihoo, Lauren Frost, and Sara Taylor, and in the Grade 11 and 12 level, Sydnee Biello, Krista Schmidt, and Maddy Torrie. The schools the students came from were French Immersion, Queen of Angels, Quamichan Middle School, Lake Cowichan Secondary School, Brentwood, Cowichan Secondary School, and Shawnigan Lake School.
The rules stated that students were to have a minimum of four and a half to seven and a half minutes to speak. If they went over, or didn’t have enough time, they were automatically disqualified. They were not allowed to use the speeches they gave in the semi-finals.
Award money went to the top three. For Grade 6 and under, 1st place was $140, which was won by Kailee Truhn. Second place was $90, and went to Aiden Doyle. Third place was $70, and was given to Rafeal Park.
In the Grade 7 and 8 level, 1st place winnings amounted to $250, and was given to Parker Schmidt. Second place was $160, and was given to Michelle Purchase. Third place was $125, and was given to Liam Brockley.
In the grade 9 and 10 level, 1st place won $420, and was given to Lauren Frost. Second place was $275, and was given to Sara Taylor. Third place was $210, and was given to Bailey Callihoo.
In the Grade 11 and 12 level, the 1st place winner walked away with a $1250 scholarship, and this was awarded to Maddy Torrie. Second place was a $875 scholarship, and was given to Krista Schmidt, and 3rd place was a $500 scholarship, and was given to Sydnee Biello. In total $4,370 was awarded.
Bailey Callihoo’s topic focused on Lake Cowichan Tourism and was comedic to listen to. “I felt proud of the accomplishments I have made, and anxious to know what the results would be,” said Callihoo after his win. Callihoos speech was well received and his topic was something people could relate to.
Lauren Frost’s topic focussed on Over Achieving Intervention. “It felt so great to represent my school. I know a lot of people think of Lake Cowichan as the lower class type of school, but I take pride in going to Lake Cowichan Secondary School. I hope that by representing us well, people will change their notions about what LCSS is and isn’t,” said Frost.
Frost’s speech was surely something some people would laugh at, in a good way.
Throughout the semi-finals and the finals there were five judges (all toastmasters): Tamara Regan, Zoe Nash, Bill Smith, Wendy Arthurs, and Joe Guenette.
The Hector McIntosh speeches were dramatic, hilarious, and well thought of.
If Lake Cowichan residences went, they would’ve thought, “Bailey and Lauren really did represent our town.”