Meet Grand Finalist, Bobby Long

We are delighted to share that this has been the biggest year ever for Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge. Up to 40,000 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 2023-2024, 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 8th July and crown the 2024 Speak Out Champion!

In no particular order, meet 2024 Grand Finalist Bobby Long! 

Their speech ‘Short Struggles and Successes’ earned them and their school, Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form, first place in their North Essex Regional Final. 

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

A ladder (to get coconuts 🤣), matches to light a fire and a knife to help me build a shelter and make spears.

What is your favourite saying or quote and why?

Good things come in small packages (because I’m short!)

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

A subway footlong – it covers all the food groups (carbs, protein & fibre) and I really love them!

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

Drink your milk so you can grow tall 🤣. Grab onto the bag on the person in front of you so you don’t get separated in the corridors 🤣. Be friendly – it can go a long way.

If you could make one change in the world what would it be?

To lower the height of kitchen counters because I can’t reach!!

Outside of delivering a speech, how do you think this experience could be helpful now or in the future?

I think this whole experience builds confidence and will assist me going forward, enabling me to project my views during a future career.

And finally, how would you like people to think / act differently from hearing your story?

I wouldn’t really want anyone to act any differently towards me after hearing my story. I just wanted to make people see things from a shorter perspective.

Best of luck Bobby and see you at the Grand Final on July 8th!