A student from St. Joseph's Academy has claimed first place at this year's Optimist Club of St. John's Oratorical Contest, earning the right to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the district-level competition in Jamaica next month.
According to Antigua News Room, Xion Joseph won the competition after delivering a speech on the theme, "The Moment I Realised I Belonged – My Definition of Community." Fellow St. Joseph's Academy student William Christian finished second, while Kiara Kwenga of Christ the King High School took third place.
The contest, held Saturday at the John E. St. Luce Conference Center, drew 10 young competitors who spoke on themes of belonging, identity and shared experience.
Joseph will now advance to represent the twin-island nation at the district competition in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 11. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three finishers.
Participants also came from Pares Secondary School, Island Academy and Clarehall Secondary School.
