Meet Grand Finalist, Lilac White

We are delighted to share that this has been the biggest year ever for Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge. Up to 35,000 students have been trained in over 500 schools across all of London and Essex.

Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge provides year 10 students in state schools across London and Essex with public speaking and communication training to increase their confidence, sense of agency and drive to make a difference in society.

During the academic year, over 500 schools have received a free one-day public speaking workshops for their students. The student’s confidence in speaking to an audience, without notes, is measured at the beginning and at the end of the day. During 2024-2025, 74% of students have increased their confidence to stand up and talk to a group of people. At the end of the day, every school nominates one student to go on to a Regional or Digital Final, where they compete again other school finalists and their speeches are judged based on content delivery, structure and positive impact by a panel of esteemed judges. After going on to win the semi-finals, our 15 inspirational, articulate, and impressive speakers are now ready to present their speech to you!

We will celebrate the achievements of these awe-inspiring young people in the heart of London’s West End at Cambridge Theatre on Monday 7th July and crown the 2025 Speak Out Champion!

In no particular order, meet 2025 Grand Finalist Lilac White! 

Their speech ‘Year 5 Parents’ Evening’ earned them and their school, Westcliff High School for Girls, first place in the Southend & Rochford Regional Final. 

We asked Lilac, what three items or people would you choose to take to a desert island and why? 

1) My dogs – they make good company 2) My bed- if I’m going to be trapped on a desert island I might as well have a good night’s sleep 3) My Camera-a Desert Island dump would make a pretty cool Instagram post.

What is your favourite saying or quote?

“I want to be defined by the things that I love not the things I hate…I just think you are what you love” – Taylor Swift. I think everything and everyone you love make up a part of you, they make you, you and I think its important to take pride in what you love and your interests.

If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Crisps – There are so many different flavours I feel like it would be impossible to get sick of them.

What three tips would you give to a Year 7 student? 

1) Be yourself and take pride in who you are 2) Don’t take yourself to seriously 3) Have fun!

Why did you choose to speak about this subject? 

Learning difficulties are something that have effected me my whole life. I want to let other people know it’s okay to struggle and need help – learning difficulties suck, you shouldn’t have to go through that struggle on your own. I want to let people know that.

How would you like people to think/act differently after hearing your story?

I want people to understand the silent struggles that people go through and I also want people to know that if you are struggling you shouldn’t have to be silent. Speaking up is hard. It can feel scary at first but someone is always there to listen. Don’t shut out your struggles and if you need help don’t be ashamed to admit it.

Best of luck Lilac and see you at the Grand Final on July 7th!