MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, has paid tribute to the work of the Jack Petchey Foundation after attending a public speaking competition for teenagers in Barnet, hosted by Friern Barnet School, Hemington Avenue.
The event took place on Friday evening as part of the Speak Out Challenge, which is run for the Jack Petchey charity by Speakers Trust Associates and involves secondary schools across London.
Friday’s event was the Barnet final of the competition, and was won by Mari-Ann Bolodeoku from Friern Barnet School with a speech entitled "The division". Her speech can be viewed on the Speak Out Challenge website: http://www.speakoutchallenge.com/pages/videoandaudio/northwestlondon201213/
Speaking after the close of the competition, Theresa Villiers said: “I have been hugely impressed by the quality of all the speeches I saw tonight. The standard was incredibly high and the first prize for Mari-Ann Bolodeoku was very well deserved; she really was outstanding. I would like to congratulate her and all the competitors this evening.”
“I would also like to congratulate the Jack Petchey Foundation, Speakers Associates, and Friern Barnet School, for putting on such a successful event. The packed audience clearly had a great time.”
“We are very lucky here in Barnet that the Jack Petchey Foundation has funded this competition, because I am sure that all those taking part will have gained valuable skills and experience. I am in no doubt that public speaking skills are a great asset for young people in a whole range of careers and activities. I would encourage as many local schools as possible to take part in the competition next year.”