Eighth Grade Speaking Contest
Congratulations to Tre Hughes '30, winner of the 118th Hollington Family Eighth Grade Speaking Contest. Tre and five other finalists delivered their original speeches to Middle School classmates and teachers, guests, and judges at Conway Hall.
Well done to all the finalists for the thoughtful, well-prepared speeches delivered with such passion and confidence!
First Place: Tre Hughes III
“More than a Diagnosis”
Second Place: Simon Bahl-Prosak
“Let Me Introduce Myself"
Third Place: Holden Vokes
"The Importance of Emotional Honesty"
Finalists/ Honorable Mentions:
Aaron Clayton
“If They Can’t Hear You, Speak, Scream”
Max Kuper-Sassé
“Unification in Our Differences, Together in Acceptance”
Henry Wheelock
“Cooking Up Connections”
Thank you to our Speaking Contest judges who joined the time-honored US tradition of celebrating and practicing the art of public speaking: Mr. Robert L. Hartford, III '87, Mr. Ken Surratt '91, and Matteo Morelli '26, winner of the Eighth Grade Speaking Contest in 2022.
The Hollington Family Eighth Grade Speaking Contest, now in its 118th year, is an essential part of English 8 and a proud tradition at University School. Each year, students are asked to choose a topic inspired by the theme of Responsibility, Loyalty, and Consideration that also has personal significance. They conduct research on the subject, transform the information into an informative and persuasive speech, and deliver it to their classmates.
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Well done to all the finalists for the thoughtful, well-prepared speeches delivered with such passion and confidence!
First Place: Tre Hughes III
“More than a Diagnosis”
Second Place: Simon Bahl-Prosak
“Let Me Introduce Myself"
Third Place: Holden Vokes
"The Importance of Emotional Honesty"
Finalists/ Honorable Mentions:
Aaron Clayton
“If They Can’t Hear You, Speak, Scream”
Max Kuper-Sassé
“Unification in Our Differences, Together in Acceptance”
Henry Wheelock
“Cooking Up Connections”
Thank you to our Speaking Contest judges who joined the time-honored US tradition of celebrating and practicing the art of public speaking: Mr. Robert L. Hartford, III '87, Mr. Ken Surratt '91, and Matteo Morelli '26, winner of the Eighth Grade Speaking Contest in 2022.
The Hollington Family Eighth Grade Speaking Contest, now in its 118th year, is an essential part of English 8 and a proud tradition at University School. Each year, students are asked to choose a topic inspired by the theme of Responsibility, Loyalty, and Consideration that also has personal significance. They conduct research on the subject, transform the information into an informative and persuasive speech, and deliver it to their classmates.
Speeches are assessed on their content, performance, delivery, and connection to the theme. After in-class presentations, twelve students compete in the semi-finals; of those, six are chosen to present their speeches to the school in Conway Hall auditorium.
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Director of the Middle School Lindsay Arnoult, Tre Hughes, Simon Bahl Prosak, Holden Vokes, Aaron Clayton, Max Kuper-Sasse, Henry Wheelock, and Head of School Patrick Gallagher.
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Tre Hughes '30
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Simon Bahl Prosak '30
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Holden Vokes '30
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Henry Wheelock '30
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Max Kuper-Sasse '30
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Aaron Clayton '30
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