The Conservatory of Cimiez in Nice hosted the grand finale of the departmental eloquence competition on Friday, June 6th. Fourteen middle school students from across the department defended their speech in front of a jury composed of professionals. Maëlle Huet, a student from L’Archet Middle School in Nice, won the first prize.
There were fourteen students taking the stage at the Conservatory of Cimiez. Fourteen students, each representing their respective school, delivering a meticulously prepared speech. The eloquence competition, initiated in 2019 by Antoine Risso Middle School, continues its journey. For this sixth edition, it gathered 14 schools from the Alpes-Maritimes department.
Throughout the year, each school conducted its own selection. The chosen student then trained in the art of public speaking, accompanied by teachers and also professionals. Actors and coaches visited the schools, providing six hours of training and stage preparation up to the big day.
The performances, limited to three minutes, allowed for a free format. Speeches, pleas, poetry, slam, or improvisation: the young speakers each chose their own path to express an idea, often personal, always committed.
A perilous public exercise
The jury, composed of eight personalities from the fields of law, culture, media, and the national education system, had the task of evaluating these speeches. Presided over by Master Adrien Verrier, former bar president, the jury notably included Muriel Mayette-Holtz, director of the TNN and patron of the finale, as well as Emmanuel Brancaléoni, the current bar president.
In front of a full house – nearly 350 people, including families, teachers, and educational partners – the middle school students delivered their texts.
After deliberations, the first prize was awarded to Maëlle Huet, a student from L’Archet Middle School in Nice. She was followed by Camille Mamoser-Dubos (Parc Impérial Middle School) and Charlotte Baccou (Antoine Risso Middle School). Two special prizes were also awarded: the Patron’s Prize to Eva Sabatino (Pierre Bonnard Middle School, Le Cannet), and the Schools’ Prize to Sahma Niakaté (Les Campelières, Mougins).
Thallia Dini, on her part, received an “Out of Competition” prize, emphasizing a remarkable journey.
Each finalist went home with a Pass Excellence06. The five winners were rewarded with an iPad.
