2016 Jun 28
Devni Wanigaarachchi conquers the world of public speaking
16 year old Devni Wanigaarachchi makes our little nation proud in the International Public speaking competition organised by the English Speaking Union of London. As one of the youngest speakers at the competition this year, she secured her spot as one if the top finalists of 2016.
As a student of Musaeus College Colombo, currently studying London A level Math’s, she is an active member of her school’s debating and drama circles and has played a role in many extra-curricular events and competitions that has brought her school great honor during the course of her years in school. Not only is she an active member of clubs and societies in school, but she is also a front runner in her academics, accomplishing 9A passes in her Ordinary Level examinations last year.
Earlier this year she took part in the National Public Speaking Competition organized by the English speaking Union of Sri Lanka. Winning the competition, she was given the opportunity of representing the country in the International Public Speaking Competition organized by the English Speaking Union of London. The English-Speaking Union (ESU) is a unique global education charity and membership organization that brings together and empowers people of different languages and cultures. With the support of their worldwide membership they seek to build skills and confidence in communication, and give individuals the opportunity to realize their full potential. These opportunities act as a platform to engage in an exchange of ideas and opinions on an international scale. The IPSC, now in its 36th year, is the largest public speaking competition in the world. Administered by the Education department at Dartmouth House, the IPSC involves 40,000 students in over 50 countries, and represents one of the clearest manifestations of the goals of the English Speaking Union. Not only does the IPSC provide students with an opportunity to develop the vital skills that enable them to speak with confidence in public, but through the international Final in London, students from around the world have the opportunity to meet, engage, and form friendships and understanding that will last a lifetime. Devni was one such individual lucky enough to seize the opportunity.
The International Public Speaking Competition contains 3 rounds of intense contest; the preliminaries, semi-finals and the grand finale. At the preliminary round, Devni had to present her prepared speech on the topic ‘Your Voice’ this was based on the theme of the competition preliminaries, ‘The most important way people give up their power is by thinking that they don’t have any’. 18 contestants, of which Devni was one, were chosen for the Semi-Final round of speeches. This was an impromptu speech round where contestants were given 15 minutes each to prepare their speech of 3 min and 30 seconds. Devni decided to choose the topic ‘Fate’ and her success in a killer performance put her through to the next round; the Grand Finale.
Among 6 lucky contestants chosen to be a part of the Grand Finale at the International Public Speaking Competition, Devni did her alma mater and her nation proud by being one of the top contestants of the finale and the competition as a whole. The final round encompassed a prepared speech competition the theme of the round was ‘Integrity has no need of rules’, which was similar to their national public speaking competition designated by the English Speaking Union as well. She spoke on the topic ‘Grab it’.
As the youngest participant at IPSC 2016, we are both honored to have her represent our tiny pearl and wish her the very best in her future endeavors!
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