In a remarkable display of oratorical prowess, sixteen-year-old boxing enthusiast Aidan Callender delivered a speech so powerful it earned him top honors at Ellerslie School’s Second Annual All-Boys Speech Competition on Tuesday. The event, themed ‘Beyond Words,’ witnessed Callender’s gripping performance that seamlessly blended pugilistic metaphors with personal vulnerability, ultimately securing him both the championship title and the Principal’s Award for Most Impactful Speech.
The competition represented phase two of the Mr Executive and Business Challenge, an institutional initiative designed to foster discipline, confidence, and mentorship among male students. Six contenders participated in the contest, each receiving guidance from members of the school’s executive team as mentors.
Last year’s champion, Tejare Forde—now deputy head boy—set the tone with an inspirational preamble emphasizing connection over perfection. Forde, who leveraged his own victory into a third-place finish at the National Optimist Oratorical Competition, reminded participants: ‘When a boy is given a platform, he can arise, and when he is given guidance, he can soar.’
Callender embodied this philosophy through a narrative rich with boxing imagery and candid self-reflection. He opened with the arresting line: ‘Life doesn’t ask permission before it punches you in the face,’ immediately capturing the audience’s attention. He recounted early failures with humor—’To be honest, I failed miserably’—before pivoting to a defiant response to criticism: ‘Perhaps I do talk too much… but because I was never meant to stay quiet.’
His climactic conclusion—’Stand tall, wear your gloves, and remind the world the fight is not over yet’—prompted a standing ovation and an emotional embrace from his mentor, Mr. Rollins.
Elias Duncan claimed second place and the Deputy Principal’s Award for Most Memorable Speech, while Kamar Maynard took third with a message centered on perseverance and ambition. Shawn Clarke, deputy chair of the board of management, presented participation certificates and commended the contestants for their courage and eloquence.
Now in its second year, the competition has evolved into a cornerstone event at Ellerslie School, attracting eager audiences and reinforcing a culture of leadership and self-expression. As the newly crowned champion, Callender will advance as the school’s representative in the Mr Executive Gentleman and Business Challenge, extending the impact of his victory well beyond the auditorium.