Jing Rui Zhang Jr., a student at Meadowridge School, won the top award at the B.C. French public speaking competition.
Zhang won in the Grade 11/12 core French category for his speech, “Exploitations humaines: Foxconn.”
In all, 10,000 students from across British Columbia competed, 260 made the provincial finals, including others from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
"In addition to the cultural and language benefits, Concours d'art oratoire helps students develop their creative and public speaking abilities, as well as self-confidence," said Patti Holm, president of Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon.
The provincial finals were hosted Saturday, May 7 at SFU Surrey.
Other local provincial finalists:
• Jessica Bournival, Grade 12 core French – “Pourquoi suivre un cours de théâtre,” Meadowridge;
• Catherine Reynolds, Grade 9 core French – “Le Sexisme dans les écoles,” Meadowridge;
• Jai Chagani, Grade 9 immersion – “L’Inégalité aux États-Unis,” Meadowridge;
• Emma Hsu, Grade 10 core French – “Les Miracles dentaires,” Meadowridge;
• Marlowe Evans, Grade 10 immersion – “Paris,” Thomas Haney secondary;
• Tianne Jensen-Desjardins, Grade 12 early immersion – “Le Monstre invisible,” Thomas Haney;
• Hana O’Reilly, Grade 7 early immersion – “Le Somnambulisme,” Eric Langton elementary;
• Madeleine Headley – Grade 6 early immersion – “La règle d’or,” Eric Langton;
• Alanah Ellsworth, Grade 10 Francophone – “La Vérité de la religion,” Maple Ridge secondary.