Students Find their Voice in Capstone Project

Eighth-grade students took to the podium in Taylor Performing Arts Center to deliver their final declamation speeches as part of their year-end history class capstone project.

All eighth-graders are required to present a culminating declamation speech after studying global human rights issues, researching, and choosing topics of personal meaning to them. Once a topic is selected, students work with Middle School history teachers Bud Kohler and David Sokoloff on additional research that is the foundation of a written speech. Students learned effective speech writing and public speaking techniques under the guidance of Mr. Kohler and Mr. Sokoloff before presenting their topics to the judges. The top eight students were selected for the final round.

“It's rewarding to see students grow, mature, gain confidence, and develop character traits that will serve them far beyond our classroom walls,” said Mr. Sokoloff. “It’s clear that students worked hard on their speeches and took very seriously the messages contained within them.”

 

The eight finalists were Andrei Balas, Sonja Brown, Caden Christopher, Sofia Correa, Alma Goren-Eisenberg, Miley Natale, Sophia Vash, and Leni Vujovic.

 

For the final round, the selected students each presented their speech in an assembly in front of their peers and a panel of five faculty members. The winners of the Declamation Project were Sophia Vash in first place with her speech on Ukraine, Alma Goren-Eisenberg in second place with her speech on the Pink Tax, and Andrei Balas in third place with his speech on the digital divide and technological gap in education.

 

“The speeches were moving and well-crafted.” commented Director of Middle School Brian Christman. “The students were encouraged to be creative and true to themselves as they selected their topics that reflected their views, values, and what matters to them.”