Icon blue global

2024 Leader in Me Student Speech Contest

We had 2,100 participants from 30 different countries this year!

2024 Contest Prompt:

How have you chosen to be a leader in an unexpected, informal, or non-traditional way?

* What does it look like to be a leader in an unexpected, informal, or non-traditional way?
* Share an example of a time you were a leader in an unexpected, informal, or non-traditional way.
* How were you and those within your circle of influence changed because of your leadership example?

All students were encouraged to enter by submitting up to a five (5) minute video that answers all three of the questions in the prompt above. Students can speak in their native language – not just English!

 

We will be featuring winning videos on our social media channels, so be sure to like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

View the 2024 winners here!

View the 2024 winners here!

2024 Winners

Check out other student speech contest winners and finalists selected from 2016-2021.

2024 Winners and Finalists

The Judging Process

Following the submission deadline, several regional winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. The regional winners will receive a special certificate and will be featured on the Leader in Me blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube Channel.

From the group of regional winners, five (5) grand prize winners will be selected by a panel of judges using these criteria:

  • Individual – ages 5-10: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
  • Individual – ages 11-15: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
  • Individual – ages 16-19: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.
  • School: One (1) school grand prize winner will receive a $2,000 USD leadership grant. NEW THIS YEAR – for a school to be eligible to win in the school category, they must connect with another school on Global Connect (found on LIM Online) after their speech is submitted but before the submission deadline, and share about their Student Speech Contest experience with that other school. Global Connect can be accessed by going to https://www.leaderinme.com/global_connect. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
  • Popular Vote: One (1) popular vote winner will receive a $500 USD leadership grant. This winner will be selected by votes cast by students, friends and family through the contest entry platform. Winners in the individual, school, or families categories are not eligible to win the popular vote category.

Please note that to be eligible for the popular vote contest, speeches must be centered on the prompt.  The judges have sole discretion to disqualify any popular vote contest entry that does not fulfill ALL requirements of the speech contest and/or the prompt. 

Judging Rubric

What is a Leadership Grant?

Consider ways that you can you make a difference.

The purpose of a leadership grant is to inspire and enable you to be life-ready leaders by using the grant to make a difference within your circle of influence. What you do with your leadership grant is up to you, but here are a few suggestions to make a difference as a leader:

• Identify and fix a problem that exists at school.
• Donate the money to a charitable contribution.
• Organize a service project in the community.
• Purchase personal school supplies.
• Help a class member or family in need.
• Contribute to a college/university fund.

2023 Winners

Check out other student speech contest winners and finalists selected from 2016-2023.

Previous Winners and Finalists

Icon white teachers

Traditional Speech

A traditional speech is delivered in a format we’re familiar with. When we think of traditional public speaking events, we imagine a podium a stage, or another venue a simple, professional background.

Here are a few tips for delivering a great traditional speech:

✓ Present to an audience (optional).

Icon white genius circle

Creative Speech

Creative speeches are an opportunity to explore different ways of delivering powerful speeches on video while still addressing the audience with a clear and concise message.

Here are a few tips for presenting your creative speech:

✓ Collect signed permission forms from anyone on video.
Avoid copyrighted music, logos, or other licensed content.

Icon white habits

Tips for a great video

✓ Ensure lighting and audio quality.
✓ Use natural hand gestures.
✓ Be confident.
✓ Use voice inflection.
✓ Deliver memorized.
✓ Speak slowly and clearly.
✓ Avoid verbal pauses.
✓ Be creative, but deliver a strong message.
✓ Use simple video editing effects.

Icon blue leader

Supporting 19 Languages

The judging process is open to students who not only speak English, but who prefer to speak in their own native language (limited below)!

✓ 普通话

(Mandarin Simplified)

✓ čeština

(Czech)

✓ latviešu

(Latvian)

✓ русский

(Russian)

✓ Deutsche

(German)

✓ Español

(Spanish)

✓ Монгол хэл

(Mongolian)

✓ bahasa Indonesia

(Indonesian)

✓ ភាសាខ្មែរ

(Khmer)

✓ Português

(Portuguese)

✓ Română

(Romanian)

✓ Nederlands

(Dutch)

✓ français

(French)

✓ Español Europeo

(European Spanish)

✓ ไทย

(Thai)

✓ မြန်မာ

(Burmese)

✓ اردو

(Urdu)

✓ عربى

(Arabic)

✓ English

(English)

Rules and Guidelines

The following rules and guidelines will help parents or guardians support participating students in producing a great video.

Who is eligible to participate?

Any student worldwide (ages 5 to 19) that attends a licensed Leader in Me School is eligible to participate. Parents and guardians are encouraged to assist, but the student must do the majority of the work!

Step 1: Prepare a Great Message

• Be sure to answer the prompt fully and and address ALL the questions and prompts included.
• Seek permission and/or credit the source of any third-party content referenced during the speech.

Step 2: Determine Your Entry Category

Individual

• The entry video must be led and reported on by an individual Leader in Me student, but the student can have help and support from their family or school.

  • There are three (3) individual entry categories: ages 5-10, ages 11-15, and ages 16-19.
  • Students can only qualify to win in one (1) entry category.

School

• School-wide led – this entry video can be led and reported on by a classroom, a small team of students, or even an entire school.

  • NEW THIS YEAR – for a school to be eligible to win in the school category, they must connect with another school on Global Connect (found on LIM Online) and share about their Student Speech Contest experience with another school on Global Connect. Global Connect can be accessed by going to https://www.leaderinme.com/global_connect. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Step 3: How to Present your Results

• Think of creative ways to make the speech/project memorable, engaging, and unique.
• Maintain consistent eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and speak clearly with expression.
• Consider visuals, such as slides, posters, a unique background, or objects, that might strengthen your message.
• Memorize your speech.

MAKE A VIDEO

• The video should be no longer than five (5) minutes in length.
• Make sure you film in a quiet location (no major background noise, like traffic, lawnmowers, or other people.)
• Submissions must be in standard video formats, such as: MOV (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4), FLV (.flv), or WMV (.wmv).
• The video must not include third-party intellectual property or copyright-protected content such as unlicensed music, logos on shirts, or branded products visible in background.

Step 4: Submit Your Entry by April 26, 2024 here.

  1. Videos can be submitted with a YouTube URL from your own personal channel.
  2. Complete the official entry form on the speech contest submission website.
  3. Print and upload a signed release form from a parent or guardian for each student appearing in the video.
  4. Teachers – if you are submitting entries on behalf of your students, the entry must be in the student’s name, not yours.
  5. Enter the speech via YouTube link or upload speech in an acceptable video format.
  6. Entry indicates participants and parents or guardians agree to give FranklinCovey ownership of video content.

Icon white habits

Contest Resources

Judging Rubric: 2024 Rubric

Parent Consent Form English | Spanish | Portuguese | Chinese

For questions or more information, please contact us at [email protected].

What is Leader in Me?

Leader in Me (LiM) is an evidence-based, comprehensive school improvement model—developed in partnership with educators—that empowers students with the leadership and life-skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Learn More

Franklin Covey Education