"Do you feel chained down right now?" asked Nicoleta Rotari from her podium at Fulham Cross Academy.
Minutes later, the 14 year-old student from Hurlingham Academy, Fulham, was crowned winner of the regional finals of the Jack Petchey 'Speak Out Challenge'.
Her speech about breaking free from the past and growing stronger won over the judges on 16 January. Nicoleta said:
A very exciting and eye-opening experience. It helped me understand myself and my powers."
She will now compete against 37 other regional champions. Only 15 will make it through to the grand final at the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End in July.
Leora Olajuwon from Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith took second place with her speech, 'Nigeria: Ethics not Aesthetics'.
And Lucy Gilbart-Smith from Lady Margaret School in Parsons Green claimed third place with her take on gender equality and breaking social norms.
"Sometimes what you're most afraid of is what you're best at," said Lucy, 14. "I started off not knowing what I was doing and then the adrenaline kicked in."
Building confidence
The annual competition helps more than 30,000 Year 10 students develop public speaking skills.
Previous winners have gone on to careers in acting, business and journalism, including Hollywood actor Jamie Flatters, columnist Poppy Noor, and 'new school' entrepreneurs Timothy Armoo and Michael Omoniyi.
"The speakers were brilliant," said H&F Mayor Cllr Patricia Quigley, who presented the awards. "These skills are absolutely essential – if you have got something to say, let it out and don't give up on your ambitions."
The competition is run by Speakers Trust charity and funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation. Regional winners receive a £100 gift certificate while grand finalists compete for a £5,000 prize split for themselves and their school.
