Meet Grand Finalist, Shadia Shamil Ibrahim

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 Shadia Shamil Ibrahim! 

Their speech ‘Figuring Out the Equation’ earned them and their school, Bentley Wood High School, first place in the Harrow Regional Final. 

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

1) An enchanted snack pouch that never runs out… of kale chips. 2) Timon and Pumbaa’s “Hakuna Matata” philosophy — excellent for ignoring all problems. 3) Olaf, the snowman who melts but somehow stays surprisingly optimistic.

What is your favourite saying or quote?

My favourite quote comes from Captain Jack Sparrow’s, “The problem is not the problem, the problem is your attitude about the problem,” This reminds me about the power of perspective and how our mindset can significantly impact how we experience and deal with challenges.

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

Cheese – Not just because it’s delicious (which it is), but because Garfield the cat and I clearly have the same taste. We both know that just like life, it becomes precious with age.

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

1) There Will Come a Time When You Must Make a Hard Choice. And that choice is all yours 2) You can’t be afraid of the truth. Not if you want to make a difference. 3) Facts don’t distract from hope.

Why did you choose to speak about this subject? 

I chose this subject because it’s my story. I’ve always loved music, but math? Not so much. So when I found out they were secretly connected, I was honestly shocked and started loving maths. I realised that we can change how we see “mistakes.” I wanted to share that surprising connection and encourage everyone to take more chances and learn faster so we are not afraid of getting things wrong.

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

I’d love for people to start seeing connections where they didn’t expect them —and to realize that any challenges you face doesn’t have to be scary, and that sometimes your biggest “problem” can turn into your biggest opportunity! If you just look at it differently. Also, maybe stop bullying problems. It’s just misunderstood. Imagine, where all of us create a world where messing up is just seen as part of a story — not the end of it.

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