Meet Grand Finalist, Fereshta Najib

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 Fereshta Najib! 

Their speech ‘I am an Afghan Girl…who are you?’ earned them and their school, Grey Court school, first place in the Richmond Regional Final. 

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

A water filter to have access to fresh water , a knife for hunting and protection and a flare gun to signal for help.

What is your favourite saying or quote?

“Your words are your power” – This quote inspires me everyday to not be afraid to speak about what I think and what I believe in. It also helps me encourage others to do the same and spread the message that what you say makes change and matters .

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

Chicken Soup as it’s delicious and also healthy.

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

It’s okay to be nervous this is a new place but it’s filled with opportunities.  Be organised – the little things like packing your bag the night before reduces a lot of stress and panic in the morning.  Just be you – don’t worry about trying to fit in or changing yourself the right friends will come to you.

Why did you choose to speak about this subject? 

This topic is incredibly personal for me.  As a second generation immigrant, my parents migrated from Afghanistan giving me the life I have today where I am safe, but unfortunately this is not the case for so many of my family and millions still in Afghanistan.  Afghan women have no rights or freedom.  So I made this speech to inform people of what is happening as well as to ensure the Afghan people are not forgotten and change occurs.

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

I hope people are inspired to raise awareness for the situation in Afghanistan and to not forget the pain and struggles Afghan women face.  I hope people act and speak out for change.

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