Resilience, integrity, benevolence, and patriotism were among the themes explored and recently declaimed during St. Luke’s Class of 2021 James R. Decatur Declamations program. A middle schooler’s version of defending a thesis, St. Luke’s annual Declamations is a coming-of-age milestone that every St. Luke’s student faces in his or her transition from middle to high school.
Eighth grade English teacher Frank Henson describes Declamations: “We infuse the program with speaking techniques that build confidence, and a rigorous content development process that teaches the foundation to a successful speech — using one’s voice to blend language and rhetoric with insight to create interest and intrigue in one’s audience. Add an equally large dose of compassion and encouragement, and there you have the Declamations.”
A time-honored tradition in its 15th year at St. Luke’s, the Declamations program continues to succeed thanks to dedicated teachers and Center for Leadership staff who weave training and opportunities to practice public speaking throughout the Middle School curriculum.
Divided into three groups who presented on three consecutive evenings, students took turns approaching a podium where they delivered a concise, four- to five-minute speech to a room packed with peers, parents and faculty. Visibly impressed by the courage, composure and skill of the young orators, the audience heard about the legacies of inventors, civil rights leaders, CEO’s and many other exemplary individuals in a variety of fields.
More than a presentation, the Declamation represents a quarter-long project during which students research and reflect upon the life of an individual they believe has made a positive contribution to society.
According to Head of Middle School Gareth Fancher, the Declamations process goes beyond the academic exercise. “It’s a shared experience that truly unites and builds a community of learners who support each other through the process. As impressive as each individual speech was, we applaud the class as a whole for working together and for encouraging each other to reach a potential that might only have been realized through the support of peers. It’s extremely rewarding as an educator to see these young students grow, mature, gain confidence and develop character traits that will serve them far beyond our classroom walls.”
New Canaan: St. Luke’s School program has developed oratory skills. St. Luke’s 8th grader Ryan Higgins of New Canaan.
The post St. Luke’s School program develops oratory skills appeared first on New Canaan Advertiser.