A teenager at Bishopbriggs Academy in Bishopbriggs is one of 12 sixth formers to be shortlisted for a prestigious national competition – and the first finalist to come from Scotland.
Gresham College, one of the UK’s oldest higher education institutions, has invited Erika Fenocchi to its lecture hall in the City of London this July to take part in the finals. In front of judges, family and friends, they will deliver a five-minute presentation.
Erika has chosen to answer Is Tradition Something That We Should Preserve Or Challenge? It is one of six questions posed to students across the country as part of the annual contest. They cover a wide range of topics including STEM, Humanities and technology and lets the teenagers show how they can question and analyse academic research and contemporary issues.
To enter, they submitted a video of themselves giving their planned presentation.
The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize for themselves and £500 for their school, while second place will be awarded £700 and £300 for their school. A third place will be awarded, with £500 going to this winner and £200 to their school.
All other finalists will receive a small prize.
The annual contest aims to promote the art of communicating complex information in a clear, concise and compelling way. Entry was open to students in Year 12 (England and Wales)/S5 (Scotland)/Year 13 (Northern Ireland) who attend a state school and hundreds of entries were received. Every presentation was watched by a panel and whittled down to the final dozen.
Ahead of their presentation, the finalists have been invited to Gresham College for a special workshop designed to hone their public speaking skills and their confidence.
Professor Jane Shaw, Provost of Gresham College, is looking forward to meeting the finalists when they give their mini lectures at the finals on Wednesday, 1 July.
“We were delighted by the quality of the entries; we had to make some really difficult decisions to shortlist just 12 of them,” she said. “Being shortlisted is a major achievement and the contest is an opportunity for these students to showcase their oratory skills. Each deserve their place in the final, and I know the judges will have a very hard time deciding who should take home the gold, silver and bronze prizes.”
Councillor Lynda Williamson, Convener of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Education Committee, said,
Huge congratulations to Erika on this impressive achievement. She has beat some pretty big odds to make it to the final of this prestigious contest, and to be the only Scot in the final twelve!
“Public speaking is not for the faint hearted and to be part of such a high profile event takes great courage and of course, talent. I wish Erika all the very best for the final next month and hope she has a wonderful time on her travels.”
