Somerset College is proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our students in a range of prestigious public speaking and leadership competitions over the past two weeks, showcasing the strength of our students' voices both locally and nationally.
A.B. Paterson Public Speaking Competition
Our students performed brilliantly at the A.B. Paterson Public Speaking Competition, achieving outstanding results across the board:
🥇 Raye FengXu (Year 11) – 1st Place
🥈 Abhiraj Sarmah (Year 11) – 2nd Place
🥉 Nadia Wu (Year 12) – 3rd Place
🥉 Natalia Zotti (Year 11) – 3rd Place
A special mention goes to our Year 11 cohort for securing all podium positions, a remarkable accomplishment that speaks to their preparation, clarity, and confidence.
UN Youth Voice National Finals
We are also thrilled to announce that Ruhura Mapabandara (Year 11) has placed 1st nationally in the Senior category of the UN Youth Voice Competition.
After earning first place in Queensland last year, Ruhura progressed to the national finals this year, where she once again impressed the judges with her insightful speech and thoughtful solution to a pressing global issue. This achievement builds on her previous success in 2023, where she reached the state finals. Ruhura’s continued excellence reflects her passion for civic engagement, persuasive communication, and creating positive change.
BUHMUN Conference at Bond University
Adding to an inspiring week, Raye FengXu and Aiden Yi represented Somerset at the BUHMUN (Bond University High School Model United Nations) conference. Aiden was selected to deliver his speech at the Opening Plenary Session, a prestigious recognition that highlights his diplomatic skill and public speaking prowess.
These achievements are a testament to our students dedication, leadership, and commitment to speaking up for what matters. We are incredibly proud of all who participated.
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