From the origin of an unwanted nickname to an unfulfilled Christmas wish turned into a moment of gratefulness, the Woodbury Public Speaking Contest never ceases to amaze the Belmont Hill community. This year’s speakers, Ryan Ho ’28, Chinweikum Anyanwu ’28, Christopher Batchelder ’26, Alexander Chen ’27, Charlie Maws ’26, and Ari Itzkovits ’28, all delivered riveting stories that will be carried with them throughout their tenure at Belmont Hill.
The proceedings began with Ryan Ho’s informative speech on the history and value of tests. Drawing on his research, Ryan traced their origins from China to America, explaining how they eventually evolved into the military-style exams that helped shape the SAT. He then challenged the audience to consider whether tests truly benefit students, arguing that they often create anxiety and fail to reflect real proficiency in a subject. Using the example of Bob, a strong panel writer whose low SAT score limited his college options. Ryan highlighted the flaws of standardized testing. He closed by urging Belmont Hill to embrace an approach similar to Aristotle’s, less testing, and more walking and talking.
Following Ryan’s speech, Ikem Anyanwu reflected on the many nicknames that have shaped his identity. From PM to Big E to Kem Kem, each name carried a memory and revealed a different side of who he is. The crowd laughed especially hard when he shared how a football coach dubbed him a “freak of nature,” inspiring the nickname Freakum. But beneath the humor was a thoughtful message. He showed that the names others give us can reflect the impact they have had on our lives. Ikem closed with the powerful reminder that “One name can never be enough to describe yourself” and that “one label is too small to capture anyone’s true nature.”
After Ikem’s speech, Christopher Batchelder shared a heartwarming and entertaining reflection on his childhood wish for an older brother. Beginning almost like a poem, he described a young boy hoping to find one under the Christmas tree, only to come up empty-handed. He then brought the story to life by recounting how he once woke up his sisters on Christmas morning to search for that imagined brother, before joking that his mother had practically “rented” him a big brother, drawing plenty of laughter from the crowd. Beneath the humor, though, Christopher delivered a sincere realization: that he had been shaped all along by his two sisters, and that “what I wanted was not an older brother, but a mentor, and I had two around me the whole time.”
Next, Alexander Chen spoke about his experience working as a congressional caller and how stepping beyond the script enabled him to form genuine human connections. He recounted everything from receiving threats over the phone to learning how to truly listen, showing how even difficult conversations can lead to understanding. Through these experiences, Alexander reflected on the deep division in modern public life, observing that “we live in a world where politics has become a blood sport.” He closed with the reminder that many conflicts might soften if people simply took the time to listen.
Charlie Maws was next, speaking about the legacy he hopes to leave behind. Reflecting on his struggles as a new student trying to make others remember him, Charlie realized that what matters most is not how others see you, but how you see yourself. He emphasized that the more you focus on becoming someone you yourself can respect and like, the happier you will be. He closed with a thoughtful reminder of human imperfection and growth: “Like everyone in the world, I am just a rough draft.”
Lastly, Ari Itzkovits spoke about the struggles and heartbreak of being a Bills fan. He vividly described his reaction to a painful Bills overtime loss to the Broncos, capturing the emotional highs and lows that come with deep loyalty to a team. Yet the speech turned from heartbreak to community when Ari reflected on how the same friends who had teased him after the game later texted him “good game.” In that moment, he showed that rivalries and jokes aside, everyone is ultimately part of the Belmont Hill community.
This year’s group proved especially memorable, with many appreciating the introspective lessons and personal reflections woven throughout the speeches. Students echoed that sentiment, praising the overall quality of this year’s presentations. After deliberation, the judges selected Chinweikum Anyanwu as the winner. The panel congratulates all of the contestants for delivering such thoughtful and memorable speeches and looks forward to the next round this fall.