From being called an oompa loompa to coincidentally meeting an experienced paddleboarder, this year’s Woodbury Public Speaking contest yielded interesting stories and lifelong messages from various aspects of life. The speakers for the finals were TJ Cannistraro ’24, Haden Bottiglieri ’24, Adrian Tan ’25, Brady Paquette ’25, Max Roman ’25, and Teddy Stonestreet ’25.
TJ started the chapel off strong with a speech about how his pious Christian upbringing ultimately led him to embrace different views than his family and to identify as an atheist instead. He connected with many audience members who stated how they experienced similar conflicts over various topics, with one student saying, “TJ’s speech was well performed and delivered a clear message that was relatable for many people.”Brady then discussed how being short has been a large part of his life, although, as an audience member describes it, “He doesn’t let it get to his head.” His discussion about knowing oneself and not letting one character trait define you highlights how important it is to accept yourself and not be put in a hole dug by your insecurities. A memorable line for many audience members was his idea of “only gaining one inch” whenever he saw the doctor every year, showcasing the hope of growing taller but later realizing that height is not what defines him.
Max told a story about an impromptu sledding adventure on musical instrument cases. His story represents that unforgettable moments are usually the ones that are spontaneous and that being unexpected is not always a bad thing and can lead to lifelong memories.
Teddy spoke about his experience learning about a paddleboarder who battled mental health and promoted mental well-being by performing extreme feats on his paddleboard. Teddy’s speech invoked how looking around and taking everything in can benefit oneself.
Adrian described how his relationship with the piano changed over time. After pressure from those around him pushed him to succeed in the biggest competition of his life, he lost his passion for playing the piano despite his undeniable skill with the instrument. He later found his passion on his own terms and started to enjoy himself again, further showcasing how just because you are good at something doesn’t mean you enjoy it or should continue doing it. A student said, “It was interesting to hear from someone who is so talented at something and gained accolades because he was pressured and not because he was passionate. I’m sure many people at Belmont Hill feel the same way since everyone is so talented here, and I hope people take Adrian’s message to heart.”
After the competition, Haden presented about how meaningful relationships with his brothers have impacted his life. His speech showed how you should keep relationships strong since you do not have infinite time to make memories; instead, you should cherish your time. Another Form V student mentioned, “I feel like this relates to the brotherhood found at Belmont Hill because these relationships will most likely last a lifetime, and it is important to develop these relationships while you’re here.”
Although all the boys exhibited excellence in both the writing and performance of their speeches, Adrian Tan ’25 and Brady Paquette ’25 were named winners of the competition.
