15 middle school students from Alpes-Maritimes in the final of the eloquence competition

Fifteen middle school students from the Alpes-Maritimes competed in the final of the departmental public speaking competition, organized at the Nice Regional Conservatory of Music. After three-minute performances, François Rabelais Middle School in L’Escarène won first place thanks to Nohan Bouvil.

The Nice Regional Conservatory of Music hosted, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the final of the departmental public speaking competition. Created in 2019 at the initiative of Antoine Risso Middle School, this event brings together middle school students from the Alpes-Maritimes each year around a challenge: convincing a jury in 180 seconds.

For this 2026 edition, fifteen schools were represented after a selection phase organized in each middle school. Nearly 350 people, including families, teachers and educational partners, attended the finalists’ performances.

Each candidate presented an argument on a topic of their choice during a maximum three-minute presentation. The jury evaluated the quality of oral expression, the strength of argumentation and the originality of the presentation.

Fifteen schools participating in the public speaking competition

The preparation of candidates was supported by the accompaniment of teaching teams as well as by the intervention of actors and coaches specialized in public speaking and oratory arts. Each school benefited from six hours of support. The speakers also advised the finalists during rehearsals organized before the final.

Charles Ange Ginésy, emphasized the educational interest of the initiative: “the Alpes-Maritimes department is proud to support and encourage this educational project which allows middle school students to develop their oral fluency, critical thinking and their ability to argue on topics related to Republican values, moral and civic education, or more personal subjects. Through their performances, the candidates demonstrated their commitment, their ability to reflect and their talent for captivating the audience and convincing a jury composed of personalities recognized for their involvement in public and educational life. The president of the Alpes-Maritimes department wished to extend my sincere congratulations to all participants for the quality of their presentations, and to warmly thank the teaching teams, school heads, jury members, partners involved in this initiative and the families present for their support. Thanks to their collective commitment, this competition continues to promote excellence, self-confidence and citizenship among young people in the Alpes-Maritimes.“

Following the deliberations, Nohan Bouvil, representing François Rabelais Middle School in L’Escarène, won first prize. Sofiatou Kebe Khouma, from Antoine Risso Middle School in Nice, received second prize. Maram Alaya, from Les Campelières Middle School in Mougins, took third place.

The Special Prize of the Godmother and the Special Prize of the Schools were awarded to Léo Azzopardi, representing L’Archet Middle School in Nice.

The competition brought together students from Albert Camus Middle School in Mandelieu, Antoine Risso in Nice, Arnaud Beltrame in Pégomas, Auguste Blanqui in Puget-Théniers, César in Roquefort-les-Pins, Des Baous in Saint-Jeannet, La Bourgade in La Trinité, L’Archet in Nice, L’Eganaude in Biot, Les Campelières in Mougins, Les Vallergues in Cannes, Pierre Bonnard in Le Cannet, René Cassin in Tourrette-Levens, Roger Carles in Contes and François Rabelais in L’Escarène.