by Ujjwala Siddapur for BIS Mumbai

The corridors of Don Bosco Lonavla echoed with words both lyrical and profound on Friday, September 12, as the annual English Elocution Competition for the academic year 2025–2026 unfolded in the Downhall. From the innocence of poetry to sharp debates on global crises, the event offered students of Classes 5 to 12 a rare platform to give voice to their ideas, convictions, and imagination.

Each class was assigned a theme that tested both preparation and presence of mind. The youngest participants, from Class 5, charmed the audience with recitations celebrating the beauty of nature, their verses painting gentle pictures of earth’s wonder. Class 6 then took the stage with heart-warming tales of courage and kindness, stories that reminded listeners of the simple strength found in humanity.

Values came into sharp focus with Classes 7 and 8, who spoke on honesty, compassion, and respect. Their words, earnest and sincere, underscored virtues too often taken for granted. Senior students in Classes 9 and 10 chose to step into the shoes of leaders. Speeches invoked the moral courage of Martin Luther and the spiritual wisdom of Swami Vivekananda, leaving the audience stirred and inspired.

If the middle school students drew on history, the older ones turned to the present. Class 11 examined current affairs with maturity—issues ranging from environmental responsibility to the ongoing Gaza conflict and the illusions created by media narratives. Class 12 raised the stakes further, facing an extempore round that tested not just knowledge but composure, quick thinking, and clarity under pressure.

Judging the competition were June Mendez, a Cambridge-certified teacher and trainer, and Melton Suares, a faculty member of the school. Their expertise and constructive feedback added weight to the proceedings. Teachers too expressed their pride. “It was heartening to see our students speak with such confidence and conviction. Their voices carried not just words, but meaning,” said Aruna Chaterjee, summing up the mood of the day.

The competition was steered smoothly by teachers Bindu, Aruna, and Priyanka, under the guidance of Fr Avil Correa and Fr Kiran Salve. Strong student participation, enthusiastic support from teachers, and encouragement from parents made the event more than a contest. It became a celebration of language, confidence, and self-expression.

The winners included: Ashish Rawat, Swaraj Gaykhe, and Rudra Jagtap from Class V; Shivam Gholap and Tanish Pawar (joint first) with Lyon Dias from Class VI; Pranay Kadam, Sai Patil, and Vignesh Shinde from Classes VII–VIII; Shaun Joshi, Shineil Mathias, Ashton Dantes, and Shreyas Gupta from Classes IX–X; Riya Kohli, Sana Sayyed, and Amna Khan from Class XI; and finally, Joechrist Fernandes, Joshua Jacinto, and Hasnain Sayyed from Class XII.

By the close of the afternoon, it was clear that the competition had achieved far more than the distribution of prizes. It had nurtured voices, sharpened minds, and reaffirmed the power of the spoken word.