Winners selected at 11th ESU competition
Winners of the 11th English-Speaking Union Korea Public Speaking Competition gather Saturday at Kyung Hee University in Dongdaemun District, central Seoul, with Ryu Kwon-ha, far left, the executive editor of the Korea JoongAng Daily, and Sanjay B Sadarangani, third from left, the country head of global trade and receivables finance from HSBC Korea. [PARK SANG-MOON]
Four contestants - one each from the elementary lower-level, elementary higher-level, middle and high school divisions - were bestowed the Grand Prize, the contest’s highest honor: Noh Shin-young from Korean Minjok Leadership Academy; Kim Chan-ho from Apgujeong Middle School; Lee Joshua from Seoul Jowon Elementary School; and Kim Kyoung-bin from Busan Foreign School.
The lower-level elementary division was made up of students in the first to third grades, while the high-level elementary group comprised of fourth- through sixth-graders.
Jointly hosted by the Korea JoongAng Daily and the British Embassy in Korea, the competition is a renowned English-speaking competition sponsored by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).
Distinguished guests were Ryu Kwon-ha, the executive editor of the Korea JoongAng Daily; Lee Bong-jae, the newspaper’s executive manager; and Sanjay B Sadarangani, the country head of global trade and receivables finance from HSBC Korea, who presented the awards.
When asked what her key to success was in winning the high school division’s Grand Prize, Noh Shin-young, who has never studied abroad, answered “integrity,” adding that her speech was from a genuine personal point of view.
One-hundred twenty contestants participated in total, 30 in each division. Gold, silver and bronze prizes were awarded to one person in each group; a participation prize was given to three contestants and a creativity prize awarded to two.
The contestants, narrowed down from nearly 800 applicants nationwide, gave five-minute speeches prepared in English and answered questions from a panel of judges.
Gold prize recipients were Kim Chae-hyun from Youngdonggil High School; Jang Hye-won from Ulsanseo Girls’ Middle School; Hong Tae-kyeong from the Elementary School attached to the Seoul National University of Education; and Huh Min from Changsin Elementary School.
Silver Prize recipients were Kil Yoon-jae from Kyunggi High School; Woo Jung-min from Joongam Middle School; Suh Jee-min from Central Christian Academy; and Jang Jane from Sannam Elementary School.
The Bronze Prize was awarded to Kim Kyu-hyun from Seoul Global High School; Choi Do-hyun from Daewon International Middle School; Jeun Jae-hyung from Seoul Kwanak Elementary School; and Hur Sung-won from Daegu International School.
Participation Prizes went to Kwon Eddy, a graduate of Sungbok Middle School; Eoh Tae-hoon from Banpo High School; Lee Dong-chan from Daejeon Foreign Language High School; Bae Jung-hun from Handong International School; Kim Ha-young from Dodam Middle School; Jang Yu-ji from Pyongchon Middle School; Kang Joon-Hyung John from Lila Elementary School; Choi Seung-eun from Seoul Doseong Elementary School; Kim Na-wi from Dangchon Elementary School; Hwang Hye-yeon from Tangjeong Mirae Elementary School; Cho A-hoon from Banseok Elementary School; and Jeon Min-ju from Myeongryun Elementary School.
The Creative Prize went to Jang Soo-ah from Dongtan Global High School; Lee Ji-won from Bugil Academy; Lee Seung-yoo from Youngdong Middle School; Kim Seung-jun from St. Paul Preparatory Seoul; Kim Do-hyun from Sejong Elementary School; Oh Ju-yeon from Seoul Seocho Elementary School; Lee Ji-hyo from Seokyong Elementary School; and Ahn Jeong-hyeon from Daesung Private Elementary School.
Noh Shin-young, the grand prize winner in the high school division, will face off against the grand prize winner in the next competition to determine who will go on to compete in the international ESU contest, held annually in London.
For more information, visit www.esukorea.org/ or contact 02-2031-1295 or 1223.
BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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