Overview

Power of Words Academy, in collaboration with World Speech Day, proudly presents the Unexpected Voices Speech Competition. This initiative seeks to amplify young voices across Canada by encouraging students to discuss the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The competition not only raises awareness of the SDGs but also enhances students' writing and speaking skills while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

 
 

Finals and Awards Ceremony

Join us for the Finals and Award Ceremony on Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at York Woods Theatre. All students who submit speeches and attend will receive Certificates of Distinction, and those who present in Round Two will also receive medals. Admission is free for contestants, with tickets at $25 each for family, teachers, and friends, available starting March 15, 2025.

Finalists by Age Category

Congratulations to the talented finalists who have been selected to advance to Round 2! These exceptional writers will present their speeches at Yorkwoods Theatre on April 13, 2025. Below, you'll find the list of finalists organized by age category.


Age Category 7-8

Aadhya Madireddy [Hastings ES], Akib Ahmad [Plumtree PS], Alishia Ma [Coledale PS], Aveer Sandhu [Whaleys Corner PS], Avery Jin [Northlea Elementary and Middle School], Ember Tam [Blessed Sacrament School], Gabriella Emmanuel [St. Mark CES], Gurbani Sindhwani [Castlebridge PS], Jacob Chang [Summit Heights PS], Kabir Bahl [Whaleys Corner PS], Kannon Achong Low [St. Bonaventure ES], Margaret Shen [Bayview Glen Independent School], Mateo Romic [Dallington PS], Saina Maria Santhosh [St. Albert CS], Theo Yu [Holy Trinity School], Vasav Singla [Rotherglen School]


AGE CATEGROY 9-10

Aadam Ahmad [Plumtree PS], Alisha Jacob [Rockford PS], Ayanna Sharma [Whaleys Corner PS], Dimitri Nasseh [St. Anthony CES], Henry Kim [Denlow PS], Ian Li [Pickering College], Insiyah Yamani [Credit Valley PS], Jenitha Ratnam [Ormiston PS], Kallie Darmos [Havergal College], Kathleen Le Nguyen [Trillium Woods PS], Kaylynn Hau [Willowdale Christian School], Raifa Pirbhai [Highland Creek PS], Sahaana Vinothan [Sathya Sai School], Shiv Singla [Rotherglen School], Vinay Singh-Kaloty [Fieldstone School]


AGE CATEGORY 11-12

Alexandra Jacob [St Clare ES], Arthi Vijayatheepan [Ingleborough PS], Elizabeth Kim [Runnymede JR/SR PS], Gurshaan Gill [Malala Yousafzai School], Jamay Qu [The Bishop Strachan School], Kaarthihan Kamalanathan [Alexander Graham Bell PS], Lucas Zhu [Hollywood PS], Noor al Haya Hafeez [Captain R. Wilson PS], Owen Lam [J B Tyrell Senior PS], Pavan Purushothaman [Eldorado PS], Payton Lee [The York School], Ryo Brown, Shaun Santhosh Kumar [Margaret Avenue PS], Sophia Chen [Fieldstone School], Thomad Rodrigues [Fieldstone School], Vikasni Mathanagopal [Mcleod PS]


AGE CATEGORY 13-15

Ameera Wani [Mount Hope ES], Anya Narang-De [The Bishop Strachan School], Cybil Koudsi [The Bishop Strachan School], Emaan Malik [Trillium School], Hilary Ding [The Bishop Strachan School], Ivy Zhu [Shamrock School], Jessica Du [The Bishop Strachan School], Sanjana Theresa Santhosh [Mary Ward SS], Synthuja Ratnam [Ormiston PS], Varshini Sivaseelan [Sam Chapman PS]

Competition Rounds

 

Submit written speeches by January 31, 2025 using the Online Form. A panel of judges, including professional speechwriters, will select fifteen speeches from each age category for Round 2.

the competition is now closed !!!

 
 


Selected students will present their speeches at York Woods Theatre in Toronto on Sunday, April 13, 2025.


Judging Criteria for Round 2

Prizes

First, Second and Third place from each age category will receive the following:

FIRST PLACE

$100 cash prize

Trophie and 1st Place Medal

Certificate of Distinction

$500 Power of Words Academy Gift Certificate

SECOND PLACE

2nd Place Medal

Certificate of Distinction

$250 Power of Words Academy Gift Certificate

THIRD PLACE

3rd Place Medal

Certificate of Distinction

$100 Power of Words Academy Gift Certificate

All students who submitted speeches and attend the ceremony will receive Certificates of Distinction. Finalists who present their speeches will be honoured with medals. Additionally, first, second, and third place winners from each age category will be awarded prestigious trophies and exciting prizes.

Competition Details

Theme

Students will articulate their thoughts on one of the United Nations’ 17 SDGs. Speeches must be written in English.

Age Categories (as of December 31, 2024)

  • 7-8 years old

  • 9-10 years old

  • 11-12 years old

  • 13-15 years old

Word Limits

  • 300 words for the 7-8 and 9-10 age categories

  • 500 words for the 11-12 and 13-15 age categories

Entry Submission

Teachers or parents are required to submit selected student speeches via the Online Form by January 31, 2025. Submission is free, but authenticity will be verified by schools to ensure originality.

Competition Dates

  • Opening Date: October 1, 2024

  • Closing Date: January 31, 2025

  • Results of Round 1: February 17, 2025

  • Finals: April 13, 2025 at York Woods Theatre, 1785 Finch Ave W, North York.

Downloads

Unexpected Voices 2025 Competition Rules
The 17 Goals Sustainable Development Goals
Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals
Canada's Action Plan on the Sustainable Development Goals
170 Daily Actions