ANDOVER – On April 14, representatives from each of Proctor’s 10th grade English classes delivered personal speeches as part of the 26th Annual Hays Speaking Contest. Started by late Trustee and Faculty Member John Pendleton in 2000 to elevate the oration skills of Proctor Students, the Hays Speaking Contest asks every sophomore to write and deliver a speech to their class. Each class section then votes on their “winner” to deliver their speech in front of the entire community. Public speaking is not easy, and especially when it involves delivering a speech on a deeply personal topic. 

Visiting judges listened to the nine finalist speeches delivered in the Wilkins Meeting House and voted on a winner based on delivery and content. This year’s winner was Emily Alexander ‘27, with MacKenzie Blizzard ‘27 earning second place, and Pippa Bartlett ‘27 earning third place. Congratulations to all of our 10th graders for stepping into their discomfort and sharing a piece of their lives with the community.