Meet Grand Finalist, Zara Wallace

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 Zara Wallace! 

Their speech ‘Being Society’s Light’ earned them and their school, The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, first place in the Ealing Regional Final. 

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

PLANE , PILOT, BLANKET FOR WHILST I’M WAITING FOR HELP

What is your favourite saying or quote?

‘COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS’ . I LOVE THIS QUOTE BECAUSE BEING CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT WITH IDEAS AND THOUGHTS CA HELP ENABLE A BETTER COHESIVE SOCIETY WHERE WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BETTER!

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

ANY CHEESE! BECAUSE IT’S THE BEST TASTE IN THE WORLD!

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

1. ALWAYS SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, 2 DON’T BE SCARED TO SPEAK OUT, 3 ALWAYS STAND YOUR GROUND.

Why did you choose to speak about this subject? 

THIS SUBJECT RESONATES WITH ME BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES I’VE HAD WITH THIS.
I’M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT MATTER.

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

EVERYONE’S VOICE IS IMPORTANT AND EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE HEARD.

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

I REALLY HOPE THAT EVERYONE IS COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO SPEAK UP IN MORE THAN ONE WAY. SO I’D LIKE TO HELP ENABLE THIS FOR DEAF CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

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

THIS DEFINITELY WOULD HELP WITH PUBLIC SPEAKING , BEING UNDER PRESSURE/STRESS AND WHILST TRYING TO CONVEY IMPORTANT ISSUES IN WRITING TOO.

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

The ability to communicate well is one of the most important skills we can have whether it is for interviews, challenging other people’s ideas or just sharing how we feel. This is something that will help me every day of my life.

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

TO LEARN BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE, BE LESS IGNORANT TOWARDS THOSE MEMBERS IN SOCIETY AND MORE AWARE OF HOW TO TREAT OTHERS IN PUBLIC THAT MAY NOT HAVE VISIBLE DISABILITIES.

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