Meet Grand Finalist, Evelyn Jupitus Day

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 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 Evelyn Jupitus Day! 

Their speech ‘Man Up’ earned them and their school, St Clere’s School, first place in the Thurrock & Castlepoint Regional Final. 

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

Rosa Parks because of her moral convictions, Malala because of her remarkable story and I dressed up as her for superhero day in year 2 at primary school. Plus, I believe that Rosa Parks and Malala would get on well. Finally, I would take the last person on Earth, so I could gain an insight into what society was like at the very end.

What is your favourite saying or quote?

‘A day without laughter is a day wasted’ because whilst you are laughing, you can’t be sad at the same time. Laughter is a relief from the hardships in life.

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

Fruit buns: My uncle has bought them for me every Saturday since I was a toddler: I still love them and haven’t grown tired of them.

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

1. If you aren’t happy where you are, move: you aren’t a tree.

2. In the end…We only regret the chances we didn’t take.

3. Don’t hold onto negativity.

Why did you choose to speak about this subject? 

I strongly believe in men’s mental health: I believe that men try to speak out about this subject but it still doesn’t get taken seriously enough in society; it doesn’t receive enough recognition. Subsequently, something needs to change. I am willing to help implement that change through using my voice.

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

Global access and rights to an education for all, in order to maximise their opportunities to enhance their career prospects. P.S. I would also put the price of Freddo bars back to 10 pence.

Outside of delivering the speech, how do you think this experience can be useful now or in the future? 

It has boosted my confidence levels and strengthened my mental attitude. I have a greater inclination to try new things and see them through. A couple of days before the assembly final, I told Mr Ansong (the school JPSOC lead) that I no longer wanted to participate. Thankfully, following our conversation, I decided to see it through and now I’ve progressed to the Grand Final. This is one of the main reasons the quote ‘In the end…We only regret the chances we didn’t take’ resonates so much with me.

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