STANDING alone on stage and speaking for four minutes may be a dreadful experience for some teenagers, but it could also be a wonderful experience, as proved by participants of the Public Speaking section of the Joint School Debating Society Speech Contest.
The contest, in its sixth year, was aimed at stimulating interest to speak out among secondary school students. It also provided an opportunity for students to compete in a friendly atmosphere.
Contestants in the Public Speaking category delivered a self-written short speech on the theme of ''Conflict''.
Participants demonstrated their public speaking skills and styles through a variety of ways ranging from emotional deliveries and serious speeches to informal and relaxing talks.
Sixteen-year-old Victor Glowacki of Hong Kong International School beat his rivals with an inspiring speech on the Daya Bay nuclear plant.
Adjudicator Richard Morre of the British Council was impressed by Victor's performance.
''He stayed very much on one line of argument and followed it through. He didn't try any gimmick and he was straight to the point,'' Mr Morre said.