2026 Speech Contest
Students are invited to participate in the 2026 Speech Contest: The Power of Community!
This annual contest is an individual student competition, where students will compose a speech of two to three minutes on an assigned topic. Students record and submit their speech virtually, and the top three speeches from each category will be invited to deliver their speech in person to a panel of judges who will select the winners.
Any XCS student in grades K-12 can participate in this optional event. Only one speech per student will be considered. Speeches must be about the assigned topic, and less than three (3) minutes in length.
2026-27 TOPIC: The Power of Community
Students who are in grades K-12 will write and present a speech using one of the age-appropriate prompts.
K-5 Prompts (CHOOSE ONE)
Option #1: What makes someone a good neighbor?
Option #2: If you could do one thing to make Xenia an even better place to live, what would it be and why?
Option #3: Who is a helper in your community, and how do they make a difference?
6-12 Prompts (CHOOSE ONE)
Option #1: “The Thread That Holds Us Together”
America just celebrated 250 years as a nation. What do you believe is the most important thing that holds a community, or a country, together? Is it shared values, traditions, service, disagreement done respectfully, or something else? Use examples from your own community, history, or current events to explain why this matters for the next 250 years.
Option #2: “An Ordinary American Who Changed Things”
History often remembers presidents and generals, but communities are shaped by everyday people: teachers, volunteers, business owners, coaches, and neighbors. Choose an ordinary person, either from history or from your own life, who made a lasting difference in their community. What did they do, why did it matter, and what can your generation learn from their example
Option #3: “Citizenship Is a Verb”
Being a citizen is more than a status. It is something we do. What does active citizenship look like for a young person today? Consider voting, service, civil discourse, community involvement, or speaking up for others. What responsibilities does your generation have to strengthen American democracy, and what is one concrete action students your age can take right now?
2026 TIMELINE
- November 1-30: Speech Contest Open for Submissions
- November 30: Deadline to submit speech virtually
- December 4: Three finalists from each grade level band will be selected
- December 11: All finalists will compete in person at Central Office. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced
HOW TO SUBMIT
Upload your video & share it to speechcontest@XeniaSchools.org
FOUR AGE-LEVEL CATEGORIES
- Elementary K-2
- Elementary 3-5
- Secondary 6-8
- Secondary 9-12
SCORING
All speeches submitted virtually will be scored using a rubric to assess speech content, presentation style, body language, and more. Three finalists per category will be scored by a panel of judges in person on December 11 at 11:00 a.m. to determine the winners.
View the two age-appropriate rubrics that will be used in judging:
QUESTIONS?
Contact Tara Palmer