Icon blue global

2023 Leader in Me Student Speech Contest Prompt

 

How have you joined TOGETHER with your community to be a force for good?

Tell us about a time that you brought your community together to make a positive impact.

What did you learn from the people you served with? How did this experience strengthen your leadership skills?

All students are encouraged to enter by submitting up to a five (5) minute video. Students can speak in their native language – not just English!

 

2023 Contest Dates:

Entries will be accepted from January 9 through March 10.

Popular voting will take place March 13 – March 17.

Winners will be announced at our virtual Global Leadership Celebration on March 28. Regional winners will be posted on this page by 7PM ET on Monday, April 3, 2023.

We will be featuring winning videos on our social media channels, so be sure to like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

 

Submit your speech here!

Submit your speech here!

The Judging Process

Following the March 10, 2023 deadline, twenty (25) regional winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. The regional winners will receive a special certificate and will be featured on the Leader in Me blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube Channel.

From the group of regional winners, five (5) grand prize winners will be selected by a panel of judges using these criteria:

  • Individual – ages 5-10: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
  • Individual – ages 11-15: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
  • Individual – ages 16-19: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
  • School: One (1) school grand prize winner will receive a $2,000 USD leadership grant.
  • Family: One (1) family grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
  • Popular Vote: One (1) popular vote winner will receive a $500 USD leadership grant. This winner will be selected by votes cast by students, friends and family through the contest entry platform.

Please note that to be eligible for the popular vote contest, speeches must be centered on the prompt.  The judges have sole discretion to disqualify any popular vote contest entry that does not fulfill the requirements of the speech contest and/or the prompt. 

Judging Rubric

What is a Leadership Grant?

Consider ways that you can you make a difference.

A leadership grant will be awarded by FranklinCovey to students who are selected as winners in this year’s student speech contest. The purpose of a leadership grant is to inspire and enable you to be life-ready leaders by using the grant to make a difference within your circle of influence. As you work to develop a speech, you should consider what you would do with the leadership grant if awarded the prize. The decision is up to you, 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/university fund.

2023 Winners

Congratulations to everyone who submitted a video! We loved learning about your projects and your contributions to your community!

Category Title Country Name School
School Toy Drive Kids USA Robin Chang Rose Acres Elementary School
Popular Vote Warm meals on a winter night Vietnam PHAM MINH QUAN Le Quy Don – Quyet Thang Primary-Middle-High School
Individual (Ages 16-19) Warm meals on a winter night Vietnam PHAM MINH QUAN Le Quy Don – Quyet Thang Primary-Middle-High School
Individual (ages 5-10) Bringing love to children in need of blood Vietnam BUI NGOC HA Doan Thi Diem Ha Noi Primary School
Individual (ages 11-15) The power of education Hong Kong Rachel Luo Chinese International School
Family Night Bread Fundraising Vietnam NGUYEN GIA LINH Peace International School

 

Watch the 2023 Winners & Finalist Videos Here

2023 Finalists

Individual (ages 11-15)How to Lead Your CommunityChinaMuHan LiuChangsha Huaxia SchoolIndividual (ages 11-15)CORAL GARDEN – The way my team and I spread the positive influence on everyone around!VietnamDong Nhi NguyenIGC Thai Binh Duong Primary – Middle – HighschoolIndividual (ages 11-15)Owls Care Team!United StatesChloe PetersonLLT Academy South BayIndividual (ages 11-15)Confessions of a Cat LoverIndiaJael Evangelin21K School

Category Title Country Name School
School Toy Drive Kids USA Robin Chang Rose Acres Elementary School
School 2023 Leader in Me student speech contest Cambodia Bunreach Lykawin Forest Hill International School
School Me and my community China Zhengyang Liao Huaiyang Primary School
School The Forgotten Treasures Pakistan Mahmood Zafeer Beacon House College Program
School Energy Station China Devon, Sweetie, Eric, Leo, Skyler, & Devon Chengdu Tian Li School
School SMA Avicenna Jagakarsa’s Project | TOGETHER make a positive impact Indonesia Afifa Fatin SMA Avicenna Jagakarsa
Family Night Bread Fundraising Vietnam NGUYEN GIA LINH Peace International School
Family The epidemic is merciless, but we have love China FuHan Li 7 habits leadership development center
Individual (Ages 16-19) Warm meals on a winter night Vietnam PHAM MINH QUAN Le Quy Don – Quyet Thang Primary-Middle-High School
Individual (Ages 16-19) Leadership is about taking action, attitude is the key Brazil ColeÌ gio Amorim ColeÌ gio Amorim
Individual (Ages 16-19) 2023 Leader in Me Student Speech Contest Phillippines Omar Pesebre De La Salle Santiago Zobel School – Brother Rafael Donato FSC Night High School
Individual (Ages 16-19) Charagh-e-rah, A Leader In Me Speech Pakistan Nabiha Binte Amir Beaconhouse College Program, North Nazimabad
Individual (Ages 16-19) Avicenna Student Research – Davina Efka Alessandra Indonesia Fatin Afifah SMA Avicenna Jagakarsa
Individual (ages 11-15) The power of education Hong Kong Rachel Luo Chinese International School
Individual (ages 11-15) Trabajando Juntos y Cambiando Vidas Dominican Republic Melany Ramirez Saint Patrick School
Individual (ages 5-10) Bringing love to children in need of blood Vietnam BUI NGOC HA Doan Thi Diem Ha Noi Primary School
Individual (ages 5-10) 主动积极 合作双赢 China ZiRui Huang Chenglong Chengzhang School
Individual (ages 5-10) The Triumph Hand India Neil Nish 21K School
Individual (ages 5-10) Helping the Homeless Canada Keshav Gupta Deer Lake School SDA
Individual (ages 5-10) TOGETHER Sri Lanka Anas Raheesh Wycherley International School Colombo
Individual (ages 5-10) 2 minutes to the better life campaign Thailand Pamaree Padoongtam Jaruwon Multiple Intelligences School

 

Icon white teachers

Traditional Speech

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).

Icon white genius circle

Creative Speech

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.

Icon white habits

Tips for a great video

✓ Ensure lighting and audio quality.
✓ Use natural hand gestures.
✓ Be confident.
✓ Use voice inflection.
✓ Deliver memorized.
✓ Speak slowly and clearly.
✓ Avoid verbal pauses.
✓ Be creative, but deliver a strong message.
✓ Use simple video editing effects.

Icon blue leader

Supporting 20 Languages

The judging process is open to students who not only speak English, but who prefer to speak in their own native language (limited below)!

✓ 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)

Український

(Ukrainian)

Rules and Guidelines

The following rules and guidelines will help parents or guardians support participating students in producing a great video.

Who is eligible to participate?

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!

Step 1: Prepare a Great Message

• Be sure to answer the prompt fully and and address all the questions included.
• Seek permission and/or credit the source of any third-party content referenced during the speech.

Step 2: Determine Your Entry Category

Individual

• This entry video is led and reported on by an individual Leader in Me student, but the student can have help and support from their family or school
• There are three (3) individual entry categories: ages 5-10, ages 11-15, and ages 16-19.

School

• School-wide led – this entry video can be led and reported on by a classroom, a small team of students, or even an entire school

Family

• Family led – this entry video is led by members of a family unit and  must show how all participating members of the family were involved.

Step 3: How to Present your Results

• Think of creative ways to make the speech/project 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.

MAKE A VIDEO

• 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 such as unlicensed music, logos on shirts, or branded products visible in background.

Step 4: Submit Your Entry by March 10, 2023 here.

  1. Videos can be submitted with a Youtube URL from your own personal channel.
  2. Complete the official entry form on the speech contest submission website.
  3. Print and upload a signed release form from a parent or guardian for each student appearing in the video.
  4. Teachers – if you are submitting entries on behalf of your students, the entry must be in the student’s name, not yours.
  5. Enter the speech via Youtube link or upload speech in an acceptable video format.
  6. Entry indicates participants and parents or guardians agree to give FranklinCovey ownership of video content.

Icon white habits

Contest Resources

Judging Rubric: 2023 Rubric

Parent Consent Form English | Spanish | Portuguese | Chinese

Editable Flyer Template (PPT) English

For questions or more information, please contact us at [email protected].

What is Leader in Me?

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.
Learn More

Franklin Covey Education
X