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Power Speakers Unlimited presents...
The Spring 2024
VERBAL
VORTEX
SPEAK UP. STAND OUT. WIN AWARDS.
Key Facts
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What: An annual spectacle showcasing public speaking talents of Kindergarten to 12th Grade students in New Jersey.
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When: The event unfolds in two key stages:
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Preliminaries: March 16th, 2024, from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM
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Grand Finale: March 17th, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM
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Where: The event locations are as follows:
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Preliminaries: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church - 177 Princeton Hightstown Rd, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
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Grand Finale: Center for Modern Aging, Princeton - 101 Poor Farm Rd Building B, Princeton, NJ 08540
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Why: An embodiment of our steadfast pursuit to empower young minds, amplify their voices and mold the influential leaders for a brighter tomorrow.
The Details
Celebrate the power of young voices at Verbal Vortex, the annual public speaking tournament hosted by Power Speakers Unlimited on March 16th and 17th. Akin to the previous year's excitement, this event invites students from kindergarten to 12th grade to showcase their skills in Poetry Recitation, Impromptu Speeches, and Prepared Speaking. The most impressive speakers from the preliminaries will compete for championship titles. Guided by TEDx Coach Taruna Ramani's vision, we're passionate about amplifying young voices, shaping future leaders, and providing a transformative experience beyond awards. It’s the perfect platform for young orators to learn, grow, and make their mark.
Events & Topics
Preliminaries
Grades K-2
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Poem Recitation (Time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds)
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Prepared Speech (Time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds):
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If I Could Swap Places with My Teacher
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My Day as a Detective
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The Great Race Between the Tortoise and the Hare...in Space
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Once Upon a Time, a Silly Squirrel Saved the Forest
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Pick any of the above prompts
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Can select only one event to compete in
Grades 3-5
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Poem Recitation (Time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds)
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Prepared Speech (Time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds):
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I turned my back and froze...
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Waking Up as a Superhero: What My Super Day Would Look Like.
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The Day I Befriended a Cloud: Our Sky-High Adventures.
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What Would Happen If We Could Control Weather?
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What Would It Be Like to Live on Mars?
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Pick any of the above prompts
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Can select one or compete in both events
Grades 6-8
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Impromptu Speaking (10 minute prep time, 1 minute 45 second speech)
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Topic will be given at the event​
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Prepared Speech (Time limit of 1 minute 45 seconds):
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In a World Without Technology: The Pro's and Con's
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Milk Before Cereal or Cereal Before Milk: The Best Way to Start the Day
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When I opened the dusty, old book that I found in the attic…..
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Fast Fashion: Its Environmental Impact and Our Role
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Pick any of the above prompts
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Can select one or compete in both events
Grades 9-12
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Impromptu Speaking (10 minute prep time, 1 minute 45 second speech)
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Topic will be given at the event​
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Prepared Speech (Time limit of 1 minute 45 seconds):
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Mandatory Voting: Would It Strengthen Democracy or Infringe on Freedoms?
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Climate Change Denial: Understanding Its Causes and Consequences
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The Moral Implications of Extreme Life Extension Through Science.
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Reimagine History: What if Electricity was Never Discovered?
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Pick any of the above prompts
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Can select one or compete in both events
The Rules
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​Grades K-12 are eligible to compete
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Speeches must be under the set time limits (see above)
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Props are encouraged for all events
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Students will be judged on creativity, speech content, and public speaking skills (voice modulation, hand gestures, eye contact)
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All speeches must be original or not plagiarized
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includes using chatGPT to write speeches​
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Participants may not share impromptu speech prompts with another
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Any form of hate speech, profanity, or disrespectful behavior towards other participants or judges will result in disqualification
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Speeches must be appropriate for children in content and language
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Violation of rules may lead to disqualification.
