More than 10,000 students from across B.C. competed, 240 made the provincial finals, and one student from Qualicum Beach took home a top award in this year's pan-provincial French public speaking competition, Concours d'art oratoire.
Benjamin Noel, a Grade 6 early immersion student at Ecole Oceanside Elementary, placed second in the province for his speech, "Comment les enfants peuvent changer le monde."
Other provincial finalists from this school district were: Victor Kamel (Grade 7) and Leila Indira Mohabeer-Ortiz (Grade 8).
"In addition to the cultural and language benefits, Concours d'art oratoire helps students develop their creative and public speaking abilities, as well as self-confidence," said Patti Holm, President of Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon.
"It's an incredible feat to make it to the Provincial finals — taking home a medal is a real achievement. We congratulate everyone who participated; they are all winners
"Félicitations!" added Concours d'art oratoire chief judge, Dr. Renée Hamilton-Clark.
This year marked the 32nd anniversary of the Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon sponsored Concours d'art oratoire. The provincial finals were hosted Saturday, May 2 at Simon Fraser University.
Canadian Parents for French thanked all the local volunteers and teachers, as well as the B.C. Ministry of Education, Canadian Heritage, and le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique for their financial support.
— NEWS Staff/Submitted by Canadian Parents for French, B.C. and Yukon