Paula White
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Jun 04/99) - Public speaking is still one of people's greatest fears, but students at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school seemed to have no problem with it during a contest held on May 27.

"It was a very excellent turn-out. We were very pleased," Belbin said. "There seemed to be a lot of interest in it, parental support, and other students, too, coming to watch their friends speak."

The contest was organized by Belbin and principal Bernie MacLean.

"I thought it would be nice to give the students an opportunity to express their opinions on certain matters," Belbin said, "and to give them a chance to speak in public and thereby gain self-confidence and self-esteem in speaking in public."

Belbin is just finishing up a one-year work term in Inuvik, but she is no stranger to teaching. She taught for 29 years in Newfoundland schools. Belbin said public speaking is part of the curriculum in Newfoundland.

"It's just a standard part of a lot of the schools in Newfoundland...as a science fair would be."

The contest was open to any student in grades 4, 5 and 6. Eliminations were held within each classroom. Three finalists from each class were chosen by the respective teacher and MacLean. The finals were held May 27 at 7 p.m. in front of an audience of almost 100 people.

Belbin said there were three Grade 4 classes, so nine students competed for the top three spots in that grade. There were seven contestants in Grade 5 and five in Grade 6. She said the students were given a list of 30 acceptable topics to choose to speak on.

"But they didn't have to go with those, (if there was) something else of interest to them," she said. "It was a wide open choice of topics."

Some of the topics the finalists spoke on ranged from world leaders to people they admire most. Belbin said the students had to speak for approximately two minutes.

The advantages of practising public speaking are many. Aside from building confidence, Belbin said it also contributes to the development of language arts skills in that the students have to write something that would be of interest to an audience.

The students were judged by two members of the District Education Authority -- Mary Beckett and Arlene Hansen. Third-place students were given medals and a cheque for $10, second-place a medal and $25 and first-place winners a plaque and $50.

In Grade 4, Kenzie MacDonald placed first, Alyssa Carpenter second and Kate Snow third. Sheena Campbell came in first in Grade 5, followed by Daniel Fehr in second and Crystal Norris in third. Tommie Male came first in Grade 6, Thomas Lavoie placed second and Mikelah Miller came third.