Severn Students Advocate for Change with 8th Grade Speeches

Words can be powerful tools for change in our world. When crafted and delivered with intention, a good speech creates empathy, connects on an intellectual level, and drives those that listen to stand up and take action. Our 8th-grade speech program gives students the opportunity to research and present their ideas about local, national, and global causes and to do so with the support of their peers. These speeches help our 8th graders develop both a sense of civic responsibility and the self-confidence to advocate for real change.

Choice Matters

At the beginning of the year, 8th graders select topics for their speeches and work through the research and writing process with English teachers Ms. Laura Drossner and Mr. Joe Christie, along with Assistant Librarian Ms. Whitney Etchison. The element of choice is a critical piece of this process. Because they choose topics they care about, our students are invested in the research and motivated to create compelling speeches.

This year, speech topics represent a wide spectrum of issues including:
  • Mental health awareness
  • Social media pitfalls
  • Importance of early detection in cancer
  • Women's rights across the globe
  • Dangers of texting and driving
  • The importance of community service
  • The value of education
  • The importance of organ donation
  • The amazing power of laughter
  • … and more

Refined Public Speaking to Support A Cause

As each student takes the stage, you can hear and see just how much they have prepared for this day. They start with a personal story or question that immediately engages the audience. They back up their opinions with research on their selected topic, offer specific suggestions, and end their speeches with a call to inspire action in their audience. Their speeches are meaningful, engaging and leave the audience wanting to learn or do more.

Severn School middle school student stands at a podium to speak.” width=
Ismaa’il Eaddy ‘22
A personal story excerpted from Ismaa’il's speech on the importance of early detection for cancer.
“I want to focus my speech on something that matters to me. Around this time last year, my grandmother died of cancer. She was originally diagnosed with stage 2 ovarian cancer, but then it spread to her lungs which is a very fatal kind of cancer. Did you know that 90% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the early stages live up to at least five more years? My grandma became extremely sick and it was difficult for her to breathe properly. She died a few weeks after my family found out this tragic news. It was because of how large the tumor was in her lungs. There was nothing the doctors could do to save her life. To this day, I wonder if the doctors had detected her ovarian cancer earlier, if it would have been easier to slow it down and prevent the cancer from spreading throughout her body.”
Severn School middle school student stands at a podium to speak.” width=
Thomas Castleberry ‘22
A call to action excerpted from Thomas's speech on the value of education:
"If you’re having trouble with school, don’t be afraid to ask for help or hire a tutor. I can’t stress enough how important it is to take school seriously. The next time you’re complaining about a class or homework assignment, think of the big picture and finish the assignment with all you’ve got. Your education is a gift, don’t waste it.”
Severn School middle school student stands at a podium to speak.” width=
Emily Salehi ‘22
Emily uses research-based statistics to back up her opinion in this excerpt from her speech on the importance of community service:
"Giving back is important no matter your age. If we start now, we’ll learn how important it is, how it feels good to give back, and what volunteering is all about. Adults who begin volunteering as youth are twice as likely to volunteer as those who didn’t when they were younger."

A Community Building Milestone

Many 8th graders say this is one of the biggest challenges of their Middle School experience, but also the most satisfying when it’s done. Inspired by the idea that a single person can inspire change in the community, the process of drafting and delivering these speeches gives our 8th graders a chance to find their voice, explore their purpose and encourage reflection and action in those around them.

While this project is an essential milestone for our 8th graders, it is also an opportunity to build community for all of the middle grades. Eighth graders share their voices as leaders in our Middle School while 6th and 7th-grade students learn how to listen with respect as they observe what purposeful writing and speaking looks like in their peers.


You Might Also Like ...

Severn Middle School and the GIC Take On Real-World Problem Solving
Severn Middle School Builds a Bridge for Student Success
Back

Lower School

Upper School