2025 New York High School Speech Competition Finals

• 2025 New York High School Speech Competition Finals

  • Date: March 8, 2025

  • Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

  • Location: Port Washington Public Library, 1 Library Dr, Port Washington, NY 11050

On March 8, 2025, the 2025 New York High School Speech Competition Finals were successfully held at the Port Washington Public Library in Long Island, New York. This competition aimed to encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, showcase their public speaking abilities, and refine their presentation skills. Eight finalists delivered remarkable speeches, demonstrating their critical thinking, communication skills, and social awareness, offering the audience a truly inspiring experience.

This event was co-hosted by the New York Youth Roundtable, the International Leadership Foundation, and Youth Civil Service, attracting numerous distinguished guests and attendees who are dedicated to fostering youth leadership. Among the honored guests were Joel Szabat (Co-Founder of the International Leadership Foundation), Chiling Tong (Co-Founder of the International Leadership Foundation), and Raymond Lee (Deputy Director of the Nassau County Office of Asian American Affairs). They delivered speeches at the event, highly praising the participants’ performances and recognizing the efforts of the organizers.

The competition commenced with an opening speech by Joel Szabat, who shared his personal journey of overcoming shyness and self-doubt to become a leader. He emphasized that leadership is not just about holding onto one’s own ideas but also about recognizing and adopting better ones. “Ninety percent of what I have accomplished in government is based on other people’s great ideas,” he stated. “For all of you, today may seem like a small step, but it is one that could lead to greater responsibilities in the future. I look forward to seeing your outstanding performances.”

Raymond Lee, Deputy Director of the Nassau County Office of Asian American Affairs, expressed his gratitude to the event organizers and affirmed the significance of the competition. He emphasized that this competition is not merely a contest but a platform for young people to voice their thoughts and express their perspectives. “The power of speech lies in sharing ideas,” he encouraged the contestants. “I hope you all speak with passion, confidence, and an open heart.”

This event was hosted by two high school students, Co-Founders of Youth Civil Service Hudson Yang and Ethan Song. Hudson Yang, the event’s initiator and one of the key organizers, thinks many young people have become immersed in the world of electronic devices after the pandemic. He hopes that this competition will young people to come out to socialize and engage with more people, sharing their thoughts and ideas.

With the smooth coordination of the MCs, the eight finalists took the stage in a randomly drawn order. Each contestant was allowed to choose their own topic but had to adhere to a strict three-minute time limit. The panel of judges evaluated each speech based on theme clarity, structural logic, analytical depth, language proficiency, delivery skills, and overall impact. After a highly competitive round, all contestants received at least one award, recognizing their exceptional performances. Joel Szabat, along with the Judget Penal representative Dr. Yong Ma (Vice President of the New York Youth Roundtable) presented the awards to the winners.

Winners of the 2025 High School Speech Competition Finals:

Finalists Awards:

•        1st Place: Aris Lin

•        2nd Place: Victoria Lam

•        3rd Place: William Lam

Special Awards:

•          Best Content Award: Mia Li

•          Best Delivery Award: Ricky Deng

•          Most Popular Speaker Award: Aris Lin

•          Courage Award：Letong Huang,Swana Liu,Darim Mirza

Additional Awards:

•          Youth Leadership Award: Hudson Yang, Ethan Song

•          Volunteer Service Award: Ruipu Wang, Shannon Hong, Noelle Schulze

At the conclusion of the event, Shannon Huang, a high school senior, shared her personal experience with the college application process. Recently admitted to Yale University and Princeton University, she emphasized that in addition to strong academic performance, personal essays and showcasing unique qualities played a crucial role in her acceptance to her dream schools. She also took the opportunity to answer questions from the audience regarding college admissions.

This competition not only provided high school students with a platform to enhance their public speaking skills but also encouraged them to engage with important social issues. The organizers expressed their commitment to continuing such events in the future, offering more young individuals opportunities to showcase their talents and learn from one another.