By Kristine Falck
Collingwood School has a wonderful, long-standing tradition of having all students participate in public speaking annually. All students start in the first grade and become willfully adept public speakers by the time they graduate. Some may initially find public speaking daunting, fearing the unpleasant scrutiny of their peers, but there are students who stand out. One of those is Grade 11 student Samir Damji. Winning his first Gold Medal at Collingwood School’s annual public speaking competition in Grade One, Samir has gone on to win an unprecedented nine times.
Despite Samir’s penchant for persuasive speaking, finding that it allows him the greatest freedom of expression, he has flourished in an array of public speaking categories. When the English Department changed the options in the annual public speaking competition last year, he presented an “After Dinner” speech and placed first. He recently participated at an international public speaking competition in Toronto and placed 2nd in the Radio Newscast category.
Collingwood School has a wonderful, long-standing tradition of having all students participate in public speaking annually. All students start in the first grade and become willfully adept public speakers by the time they graduate. Some may initially find public speaking daunting, fearing the unpleasant scrutiny of their peers, but there are students who stand out. One of those is Grade 11 student Samir Damji. Winning his first Gold Medal at Collingwood School’s annual public speaking competition in Grade One, Samir has gone on to win an unprecedented nine times.
Despite Samir’s penchant for persuasive speaking, finding that it allows him the greatest freedom of expression, he has flourished in an array of public speaking categories. When the English Department changed the options in the annual public speaking competition last year, he presented an “After Dinner” speech and placed first. He recently participated at an international public speaking competition in Toronto and placed 2nd in the Radio Newscast category.
Samir respectfully gives credit to his father for his own confidence and continued success in public speaking. Growing up, Samir says he was very fortunate to watch his father deliver speeches at his local mosque in a masterful style and was able to pick up on his father’s subtle oratory and physical nuances to captivate his audiences. Samir used his father’s techniques to craft his own effective speaking style. He imparted an insightful observation on his philosophy of what public speaking means to him stating: “Public speaking is a wonderful art form. It is an opportunity to persuade an audience, and opportunity to humor an audience, an opportunity to bring an audience to tears – but most of all, it’s an opportunity to express oneself! It’s not just verbal; it’s the facial expressions, it’s the hand actions – it is such a nuanced art form! Everyone applies their own brush strokes and techniques, and this space for creativity and uniqueness is what defines public speaking.”
Even though Samir wants to pursue public speaking at university and beyond, it is not his only passion in life. For those close to him, they know he is a zealous basketball player. But don’t limit Samir’s time just to the basketball court. He also likes to get creative in the kitchen, be it experimenting with spices or making his all time favourite dish “Boeuf Bourginongan” à la Julia Child. Samir is also active outside of school and is involved in a variety of clubs, committees and activities. We wish Samir continued success in his public speaking pursuits.
Even though Samir wants to pursue public speaking at university and beyond, it is not his only passion in life. For those close to him, they know he is a zealous basketball player. But don’t limit Samir’s time just to the basketball court. He also likes to get creative in the kitchen, be it experimenting with spices or making his all time favourite dish “Boeuf Bourginongan” à la Julia Child. Samir is also active outside of school and is involved in a variety of clubs, committees and activities. We wish Samir continued success in his public speaking pursuits.