Félicitations!
Interlake School Division students recently showcased their skills en français in Canada’s largest French-language public-speaking competition. École Stonewall Centennial School hosted the Concours d’art oratoire event on March 18.
Canadian Parents for French, a national organization committed to advocating for French language learning across Canada, puts on the event each year. In 2025, they celebrated their 40th anniversary with participation from more than 4,700 students participating.
“Students prepare and deliver a speech in French on a topic of their choosing,” said learning support teacher Zach Ward. “They are guided throughout the process by their teachers to plan, write, edit and practise their speech.”
In the Interlake School Division, French immersion students attend École RW Bobby Bend School, École Stonewall Centennial School and Collège Stonewall Collegiate. Each school prepares for the event in a different way.
“Some schools have students prepare in their French or Français classes. Some schools run clubs outside of class for interested students. The students decide on a topic, brainstorm ideas, conduct research, write, edit, revise and memorize their speeches,” Ward said.
“Depending on grade level, the speeches are two to five minutes in length. Students can choose their own topics, so we always learn about some interesting things. This year we had topics on ducks, women in sports, quantum theory, Garfield and everything in between.”
For Ward, one of the main benefits of the event is that it offers a chance to celebrate students who are learning a second language.
“The goal of the French immersion program in Manitoba is to develop proud, confident, engaged, plurilingual global citizens,” he said.
“Events like this go a long way in providing that sense of pride and confidence in our immersion students. To stand in front of a room of mostly strangers and deliver a speech in a second language takes a lot of courage.”
Concours d’art oratoire provides opportunities for students to challenge themselves and see successful results.
“Working through the writing process, from idea to finished product, builds resilience and confidence in these students,” he said. “Making mistakes, learning from them to make a better product is a lesson that will benefit all of them in their lives.”
This year, a total of 36 students from grades 4 to 10 participated in the divisional competition, with 15 from Ecole RW Bobby Bend School, 19 from Ecole Stonewall Centennial School and two from Collège Stonewall Collegiate. Most are French immersion students, and six non-immersion students also participated through their French Communication and Culture course.
An independent panel of three to four judges chooses the event winners.
“Typically, judges are teachers and former French immersion students who are committed to events like this that grow a love for French learning in our community,” he said. “We have also had French-speaking community members serve as judges as well.”
This year, Interlake School Division had winners in nine categories: Kaleah Wutzke (Grade 4 French: Communication and Culture), Gracie Bergen (Grade 4 French immersion), Katie Marohn (Grade 5/6 French immersion), Vanya Dubreuil and Lianne Biernes (Grade 7/8 French: Communication and Culture), Melodie Versavel (Grade 7/8 French immersion), Véronique Couture (Grade 7/8 Français), Deshawn Peever (Grade 9/10 French immersion) and Gabrielle Couture (Grade 9/10 Français).
Based on their achievements, these winners will progress to the provincial Concours d’art oratoire, which will take place in early may at L’Université de Saint-Boniface. During this phase, they’ll present their speeches again in the competition against division winners from across the province.
Events like this only happen thanks to the efforts of people who are passionate and French language learning, Ward added. École Stonewall Centennial School hosted the event this year, and Ecole RW Bobby Bend has also held it for many years in the past.
“It takes efforts of teachers, judges, parents and families and, of course, the students to make this happen,” he said.
“We were happy to have a night to celebrate all these people and especially the brave students who stepped up to the challenge and delivered amazing speeches in French on many interesting topics. Thanks to everyone who came out to support this event and everyone who worked hard to make it happen.”
