In a showcase of talent, students from the Mary Whelan Fox Elocution, Speech and Drama School claimed numerous accolades at the prestigious Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland Feis in Dublin.
A hybrid event, the initial stages of the competition saw participating students entering via videolink at the heats stage, the top 12 participants in each category advancing to the live national finals.
The capital venue brought together young minds to compete in respective categories, displaying exceptional skills in public speaking, poetry, prose and reading. The competition was of the highest quality, but in the end, it was the passion and dedication of the students that truly shone through.
In the public speaking category, the top three spots were claimed by outstanding local students who captivated the audience with their powerful words and confident delivery. Taking the coveted first place in the senior competition was Shashwat Somesh whose commanding presence and compelling message left a lasting impact on all who listened.
Securing second place was Tomas Donoghue whose eloquence and charisma resonated with the judges and in third place, Patricia Rybakava impressed with her speech on tattoos, poise and articulation.
Srinidhi Karthik claimed first prize in the intermediate final, followed by Molly Lennon in second position. Jessica Gavin was highly recommended for her talk on rural Ireland.
The respective winners of the create your own poem, prose and reading categories showcased talent that brought their unique style and interpretation to their performances, leaving the audience in awe of their creativity and skill.
Among the winners were Siofra O Reilly and Muireann Kennelly who stood out for their own heartfelt poems that touched the hearts of all who heard them. In the poetry category, Sriniyaa Karthik wowed the judges with lyrical prowess and emotional depth, while the prose category saw Isla Murray shine with her storytelling abilities, weaving a narrative that transported the audience to another world.
In the reading category Shraddha Somesh achieved first prize impressing the judges with her impeccable delivery and engaging performance.
Teacher, Mary Whelan Fox, congratulated all the winners at the All Ireland Speech and Drama Feis, commending every student who participated in the event.
“Your dedication, hard work, and passion for the arts are truly commendable and you have all contributed to making this Feis a resounding success. To the winners, we applaud your talent and commitment to excellence. Your achievements are a testament to your creativity and skill, and we look forward to seeing where your journey in the world of speech and drama takes you next,” Ms Whelan Fox said.
