- VINCENT’S HOSTS INAUGURAL ST. IGNATIUS MEMORIAL DISTRICT LEVEL ENGLISH SPEECH COMPETITION
“Go forth and set the world on fire.” — St. Ignatius of Loyola
Inspired by this timeless call to ignite minds and hearts with purpose, St. Vincent’s High School & Junior College, Pune, hosted the inaugural St. Ignatius Memorial District Level English Speech Competition on 24th July 2026 at 9.30 a.m. in the Gulati Hall. The event brought together talented young speakers from 12 schools across the district, celebrating the art of public speaking and the enduring values of the Jesuit tradition.
Centred on the theme ‘Caring for Our Common Home,’ the competition encouraged participants to reflect on pressing environmental concerns and present thoughtful, solution-oriented perspectives. The speeches showcased confidence, creativity, and a deep sense of social responsibility.
The programme commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by the prayer song, Power of Your Love, setting a reflective and prayerful tone for the occasion. The symbolic watering of plants by the dignitaries beautifully echoed the competition’s theme, ‘Caring for Our Common Home,’ reaffirming the shared responsibility of protecting and nurturing our environment. The audience was then welcomed to the inaugural edition of the competition, which seeks to inspire young people to become articulate, compassionate, and responsible global citizens through the power of the spoken word.
The participants impressed the audience and judges alike with their eloquence, originality, and confident delivery. Their speeches reflected not only exceptional oratorical skills but also a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable living.
The judges also addressed the gathering, inspiring the young participants with their insightful observations and constructive feedback. They encouraged the budding speakers to continue honing their oratorical skills and shared valuable tips on effective public speaking, emphasising the importance of clarity, conviction, confidence, voice modulation, purposeful body language, and connecting with the audience. Their words served as a source of motivation, inspiring the participants to grow into articulate, persuasive, and impactful orators.
The programme concluded with the prize distribution ceremony, during which Rev. Fr. Titus Thangaraj, SJ, Principal of St. Vincent’s High School & Junior College, congratulated all the participants on their outstanding performances and commended their thoughtful insights. The competition was a resounding success, promoting confidence, critical thinking, and the Ignatian spirit of excellence while reinforcing the shared responsibility of caring for our common home.
