Sixteen‑year‑old aspiring boxer Aidan Callender punched his way to the top at Ellerslie School’s Second Annual All‑Boys Speech Competition on Tuesday, capturing the crowd with a bold and heartfelt performance that earned him the Principal’s Award and cemented his status as one to watch.
Stepping to the microphone with a pugilist’s poised confidence, Aidan opened with a line that instantly stilled the room: “Life doesn’t ask permission before it punches you in the face.” The blunt force of that statement set the tone for a speech that was gritty, honest and deeply relatable.
This year’s contest, themed Beyond Words, formed phase two of the Mr Executive and Business Challenge at the Ellerslie School, which aims to build discipline, confidence and mentorship among Ellerslie’s boys. Six competitors vied for the title, each guided by a mentor from the school’s executive team.
Before the competition began, last year’s champion Tejare Forde encouraged the contestants to seize the moment, reminding them that the stage can be the beginning of something bigger.
“Do not worry about perfection, focus on connection,” he said, reflecting on a journey that took him from this same stage to third place at the National Optimist Oratorical Competition and ultimately to his role as deputy head boy.
His reminder echoed throughout the room: “My journey is proof that when a boy is given a platform, he can arise, and when he is given guidance, he can soar.”
Callender sought to embody that message with a speech that tied humour, vulnerability and determination into a powerful narrative.
He acknowledged the sting of discouragement — “maybe it’s being told directly or indirectly that you will never make it”. Callender even laughed at his own early missteps. “To be honest, I failed miserably.”
But the turning point came when he confronted criticism head‑on. “Perhaps I do talk too much… but because I was never meant to stay quiet, my voice — my so‑called annoying voice — was meant to speak back to adversity.”
From there, he leaned fully into the fighter’s mindset. “Being a fighter isn’t proven when everything’s going your way. It’s proven when you’re flat on your back, staring at the ceiling and still whispering, ‘I’m not done yet.’”
By the time he delivered his final rallying call — “stand tall, wear your gloves, and remind the world the fight is not over yet” — the auditorium rose in cheers. As he stepped off stage, his mentor Mr Rollins rushed forward and embraced him.
Aidan emerged with 320 points, securing first place and the Principal’s Award for Most Impactful Speech.
Elias Duncan earned second place and the Deputy Principal’s Award for Most Memorable Speech, while third place went to Kamar Maynard, whose message of perseverance and ambition resonated strongly with the audience.
Participation certificates were presented by Shawn Clarke, deputy chair of the board of management, who praised the boys for their courage and impressive public speaking.
Now in its second year, the speech competition has already become a signature event at Ellerslie. Students raced out of their classrooms the moment the bell rang, eager to hear who claimed the title. The event continues to nurture confidence, discipline and leadership among its young men — a point Tejare underscored when he reminded the audience, “It’s a movement, a catalyst… a tradition that continues to shape the future of the school.”
After the competition concluded, the young men had the opportunity to meet the judges, gaining valuable feedback and deeper insight into their performances. With Aidan’s victory, that tradition only grows stronger. His win now propels him forward as Ellerslie’s representative in the Mr Executive Gentleman and Business Challenge, carrying the school’s pride — and the spirit of the competition — far beyond the stage.
(LE)
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