Grand Prize and Popular Vote Videos will be posted soon! Be sure to check back to see nearly 25 finalists that we also want to recognize. We had about 700 videos submitted this year. Every student did an excellent job and it was a difficult process for our judges. Whether or not you were selected as a winner, remember that you are a leader! We hope that this opportunity was fun and rewarding for you. Thank you for participating!
Check out other student speech contest winners and finalists selected from 2016-2019.
2021 Contest Prompt will be available soon.
Just a friendly reminder: We are not looking for students repeating the 7 Habits. We want to see how the students have taken these lessons and built upon them.
All students are encouraged to enter by submitting up to a five (5) minute video. Students (with the help of their parents or school) can create a traditional or creative video addressing a leadership topic that matters the most to them. Students can speak in their native language – not just English!
✓ 普通话(Mandarin Simplified) |
✓ čeština(Czech) |
✓ latviešu(Latvian) |
✓ русский(Russian) |
✓ Deutsche(German) |
✓ Español(Spanish) |
✓ Монгол хэл(Mongolian) |
✓ bahasa Indonesia(Indonesian) |
✓ ភាសាខ្មែរ(Khmer) |
✓ Português(Portuguese) |
✓ Română(Romanian) |
✓ Nederlands(Dutch) |
✓ français(French) |
✓ Español Europeo(European Spanish) |
✓ ไทย(Thai) |
✓ မြန်မာ(Burmese) |
✓ اردو(Urdu) |
✓ عربى(Arabic) |
✓ English(English) |
The purpose of a leadership grant is to inspire and enable students to be life-ready leaders by using the grant to make a difference within their circle of influence. A leadership grant will be awarded by FranklinCovey to students who are selected as winners in this year’s student speech contest. As participants work to develop a speech, they should consider what they would do with the leadership grant if awarded the prize and submit their plans for its use during the entry-form process. The decision is up to the student, but here are a few suggestions to make a difference as a leader:
• Identify and fix a problem that exists at school.
• Donate the money to a charitable contribution.
• Organize a service project in the community.
• Purchase personal school supplies.
• Help a class member or family in need.
• Contribute to a college fund.
A traditional speech is delivered in a format we’re familiar with. When we think of traditional public speaking events, we imagine a podium a stage, or another venue a simple, professional background.
Here are a few tips for delivering a great traditional speech:
✓ Present to an audience (optional).
✓ Ensure lighting and audio quality.
✓ Use natural hand gestures.
✓ Be confident.
✓ Use voice inflection.
✓ Deliver memorized.
✓ Speak slowly and clearly.
✓ Avoid verbal pauses.
Creative speeches are an opportunity to explore different ways of delivering powerful speeches on video while still addressing the audience with a clear and concise message.
Here are a few tips for presenting your creative speech:
✓ Collect signed permission forms from anyone on video.
✓ Avoid copyrighted music, logos, or other licensed content.
✓ Be creative, but deliver a strong message.
✓ Ensure lighting and audio quality.
✓ Use simple video editing effects.
(Be sure to incorporate tips from the traditional speech section!)
Three (3) grand prize winners will be selected by a panel at FranklinCovey Education using a judging rubric with three criteria: 1) message 2) tone and 3) quality of video (environment). Three (3) secondary winners will also be selected via popular vote! Students,friends, and family of contestants are encouraged to share the videos on social media to raise awareness of the entry. Votes are limited to once per person for the duration of the contest and will be registered to an email address. Friendly Reminder: Be sure we can clearly see you and hear you in the video! Winners will be selected in the following groups:
• Ages 5-10: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
• Ages 11-15: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
• Ages 16-19: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
• Popular Vote: Three (3) popular vote winners will receive a $500 USD leadership grant.
NOTE: All winners and finalists will be featured on the Leader in Me Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube Channel! Contest is now closed and final winners will be announced soon. Check back for details on next years contest!
Any student worldwide (ages 5 to 19) that attends a licensed Leader in Me School is eligible to participate. Parents and guardians are encouraged to assist, but the student must do the majority of the work!
• Identify an inspiring leadership topic that will not only inspire your audience but showcase your passion as well.
• Don’t just recite the 7 Habits. Instead focus on the unique topic of your speech and its purpose, to persuade, to entertain, or to inform.
• The content can be delivered by one or more students, as long as each individual and their parent or guardian (where applicable) has signed a release form).
• Seek permission and/or credit the source of any third-party content referenced during the speech.
• Think of creative ways to make the speech memorable, engaging, and unique.
• Maintain consistent eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and speak clearly with expression.
• Consider visuals, such as slides, posters, a unique background, or objects, that might strengthen your message.
• Memorize your speech.
• The video should be no longer than five (5) minutes in length.
• Make sure you film in a quiet location (no major background noise, like traffic, lawnmowers, or other people.)
• Submissions must be in standard video formats, such as: MOV (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4), FLV (.flv), or WMV (.wmv).
• The video must not include third-party intellectual property or copyright-protected content, like logos on shirts or branded products visible in background.
Parent Consent Form English | Spanish | Portuguese | Chinese
Editable Flyer Template (PPT) English | Spanish
English Advertisement for PPT (JPG)
English Advertisement for Website (JPG)
For questions or more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Leader in Me (LiM) is an evidence-based, comprehensive school improvement model—developed in partnership with educators—that empowers students with the leadership and life-skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
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