"Teen Talk" Speech Contest
Next event is scheduled for February 2025
CLICK THIS LINK STARTING JANUARY 1, 2025 TO REGISTER ONLINE
Each February, we hold a speech contest on a pre-determined official topic. Applications will be accepted during the month of January with the competition being held in February prior to the Strawberry Festival.
All competitors receive a certificate of participation while First Place receives a college scholarship of $1,000, Second Place receives a college scholarship of $750, and Third Place receives a college scholarship of $500.
Summary of the requirements:
- Competition is gender-neutral with boys and girls competing together.
- Open to contestants currently in 6th through 12th grade in a Plant City area middle or high school listed here:
- Middle School (6-8 grade): Advantage, Independence, Marshall, Shiloh, Tomlin, Turkey Creek
- High School (9-12 grade): Durant, Plant City, Simmons, Strawberry Crest
- Each contestant shall prepare his or her own speech.
- Speech will be between four (4) and five (5) minutes in length.
- All contestants must speak on the official topic and must state the official topic in the first sentence of the speech.
- Scoring will conform to the following criteria:
- Poise – appearance and personality: 10 points
- Content of Speech – subject adherence, theme, content, logic and color: 40 points
- Delivery & Presentation – voice, volume, pronunciation, gestures, eye contact, sincerity and emphasis: 35 points
- Overall Effectiveness – appeal, impression, attitude and effect: 15 points
- Penalties will be deducted from the points as follows:
- Failure to announce the official topic in the first sentence – 3 points
- Failure to identify non-original material – up to 10 points
- Use of props, costume, etc. - 10 points
- Time penalties – 1 point for each 15 seconds or fraction over or under the allotted time.
- Self-identification – up to 5 points
- Failure to complete speech – disqualification
- Use of audience prompters - disqualification
Please click the link at the top of the page to apply online!