Evan Peters, World Speech Champion

Isaac Lavitt ’25

Copy Editor

competition, and we were ecstatic to embark on this journey. Evan placed second in that event. It soon became common for judges to find Evan after each pazazz pizzazz and flair, placed second in the Iimpromptu and Persuasive Speaking categories. Although narrowly missing the top-ten, Evan left that tournament with many memories and a newfound confidence.

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On April 4, Evan Peters returned to St. Paul’s after competing in the 2023 World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in South Africa. After a gruelling week of debate, persuasion, reading, and improvisation, Evan placed fifth overall in the tournament. However, Evan’s greatest accomplishment was in the Persuasive Speaking category.

Competing against speakers from across the globe, Evan was crowned number one persuasive speaker in the world. I have had the privilege of watching Evan grow as a speaker and a person and I would love to share that story.

I met Evan last year at the Garden City debate tournament. For both of us, it was our first round to compliment him on his intelligence and zeal. That May, we qualified for junior public speaking nationals in Vancouver. “Qualified”, however, was an overstatement. As the pandemic was ending, Canadian schools decided to hold a championship, and without the time to hold provincial qualifiers, Manitoba simply sent the most experienced debaters from each school. Evan, bringing his usual

Soon we found ourselves in the tenth grade. We began preparations for the public speaking provincials at Balmoral Hall.

Evan wrote a beautifully crafted speech on the moral and environmental misdeeds of the coffee industry; he did not yet know this speech would bring him to the top of the world.

Evan practiced his oration daily, constantly refining and reworking. When the tournament arrived, Evan performed with his fervour and gusto, receiving the Rupert’s Land award for his top placement in the event. With that, Evan qualified for public speaking nationals.

Within weeks, Evan was onstage again with his speech, competing for a chance at contending at internationals. The tournament, located at St. John’s Ravenscourt (SJR), included speakers, judges, coaches, and alumni from across Canada. When the dust settled, Evan placed sixth in the competition, one short of qualifying for internationals. However, a student from SJR forfeited his spot as he had already qualified through a different competition.

Evan brought the spirit of St. Paul’s to South Africa with him. With classmates, peers, parents, teachers, and friends watching from home, Evan climbed the ladder, reaching the finals in debate, and the grand finals in Persuasive Speaking. There, in front of thousands, Evan addressed the crowd with his incredible charisma and confidence.

By the end, Evan brought home trophies, memories, and friendships. With this inconceivable occurrence achievement, Evan embodies the ideals of the St. Paul’s community, constantly seeking the Magis.

Therefore, I can safely say that, on behalf of St. Paul’s High School, we congratulate Evan Peters for his success, achievements, and victory.