Meet Grand Finalist, Emma Arpesani

We are delighted to share that this has been the biggest year ever for Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge. Up to 30,000 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 2022-2023 76% 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 10th July and crown the 2023 “Speak Out” Champion!

In no particular order, meet 2023 Grand Finalist Emma Arpesani! 

Their speech ‘Climate Change’ earned them and their school, Highbury Fields School, first place in the Islington Regional Final. Emma would like us to think more about the impacts our actions have on the planet.

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

Bookcase with endless books (because reading is one of my passions and every time you read a book you learn something new), water (because we take it for granted but it’s fundamental to live) and my cat (because I love her too much).

What is your favourite saying or quote and why?

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does” because it’s easy to forget

What three top tips on life would you give a Year Seven student? 

Don’t change for anybody, love yourself and never, ever, ever give up

You could have made a speech anything in the world. Why did you speak about this one subject? 

Because it’s an issue that’s not talked about enough and it’s also the most urgent.

Why do you think it’s important for young people, like you, to share their stories?

To inspire other young people and show the adults that we have a voice and aren’t scared to use it!

How could this experience help you further any passions you have?

My passion has always been to help and Jack Petchey allowed me to help one part of the world get even just a little better.

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

Think more about the impacts of your actions on the planet!

Watch Emma‘s winning speech: