CDS Students Shine at International Public Speaking Competition
Incredible memories were made when more than 120 high school students representing 37 schools from five countries gathered at Waynflete School in Portland, Maine, for the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition (IISPSC) held October 15–20.
Three CDS public speaking students — Adhya Chandradat, Aneesa Khan, and Audrey Jiang — had the remarkable opportunity to compete alongside their veteran coaches, taking part in three categories: persuasive speaking (a memorized 12-minute speech), interpretive reading, and impromptu speaking, where competitors are given a topic, have two minutes to prepare, and then must speak for three to five minutes.
Our students performed exceptionally well, placing among the top 10 Canadian schools and within the top quarter overall in a very competitive international field.
A special congratulations goes to Adhya, who advanced to the finals in impromptu speaking with a compelling response to the Stephen King quote: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” Drawing inspiration from motivational speaker Wayne Dyer and software engineering pioneer Margaret Hamilton, she delivered a powerful speech that earned her 9th place overall.
For her other events, Adhya performed an interpretive reading from A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and delivered a persuasive speech on how the airline industry overlooks pilots’ mental health, a threat to both safety and well-being.
“My favourite part about the IISPSC was making new friends and sharing my voice about things that mean a lot to me,” said Adhya. “There were 77 students in the persuasive speaking category, each talking about different global issues. Everyone was so impassioned about what they want to change. It was incredibly inspiring to watch.”
For Aneesa, this was her first international tournament and she held her own impressively across all three events. Her persuasive speech addressed the mistreatment of women in the healthcare system, including issues of misdiagnosis and gender bias. In impromptu speaking, she was given the word “Sting” and interpreted it as failure and disappointment, weaving in the story of Australian Paralympic swimmer Alexa Leary, who triumphed at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with two gold medals and a silver. Her interpretive reading was drawn from This Is Where It Ends, a poignant story about a school shooting.
“Going in, I was worried people would be super competitive, but everyone was so friendly and supportive,” said Aneesa. “It was such a relaxed and comfortable environment. Travelling with Ms. Wyndham-West, Mr. Robinson, and Mme Davidson was an absolute privilege.”
Audrey also competed in all three events, demonstrating thoughtful preparation and poise throughout the tournament. Her persuasive speech focused on the need for stronger protections for workers in the gig economy. For her interpretive reading, she performed an excerpt from Bee Sting by Demetri Martin, skillfully shifting between multiple voices - from the woman stung by a bee, to the bee itself, and even a cast of inanimate onlookers. One of Audrey’s impromptu topics was a quote by Thomas Edison, “I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” At which she talked about the importance of trial and error and testing things.
“Getting to see all of these different speakers covering all sorts of issues while representing their different countries, felt like a commentary on the importance of honest communication and how the depth of human thought can create so many perspectives,” said Audrey.
Next up for the team are the National Qualifiers at Branksome Hall at the end of November. If CDS finishes in the top 10, the next stop will be the Senior National Public Speaking Championships at St. John’s-Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg this February.
The CDS Speech & Debate Team is optimistic they will once again qualify several students for the World Championships next April in Bristol, England.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
