Grade 8 Capstone Project Tilts the Lens into Global Human Rights Issues

The harrowing tales of global human rights violations and the supportive calls to action rang through the podium microphone in the Taylor Performing Arts Center as a group of Grade 8 students took the stage to deliver their final declamation speeches in front of their peers and Middle School faculty members.

The Declamation Project has been part of the Grade 8 history curriculum for about 10 years and serves as the year-end capstone project for classes with teachers Bud Kohler and David Sokoloff.  

“We would like to congratulate everyone on a successful year and wildly engaging declamation speeches,” said Mr. Sokoloff. “It was clear that students thoroughly prepared for the final speeches and took their topics very seriously. As a community, we hope you take lessons from each of these speeches as many resonated deeply.”

As a class requirement, all students must give a declamation speech on a topic of their choosing with a focus on global human rights issues. Once a student chooses a topic, they perform extensive research, practice public speaking techniques, and put together a written speech that is presented to a series of judges before eight finalists are selected for the final round.

The student finalists included Mia Aisin, Nala Annes, Teagan Bird, Kristina Carlson, John Countryman, Vivian Martin, Daniela McTiernan Huge, and Aaron Prygoda. Five faculty members served as judges including Upper School Academic Dean Justine Fellows, former Director of Curriculum and Instruction Helen Barnstable, Learning Support Coordinator Lisa Motter, Upper School history teacher Evan Bieder, and English Department Chair and teacher Paul Gustafson.

The winners of the 2024 Declamation Project were Teagan Bird in first place with her speech on the suppression of human rights in Hong Kong by the Chinese government; Aaron Prygoda in second place with his speech on the displacement crisis and civil war in Sudan; and Vivian Martin in third place with her speech on the censorship and violation of free speech in China.

“The speeches were well-crafted and truly showcased the vast topics that reflected the personal interests of the students,” said Director of Middle School Brian Christman. “Thank you to Mr. Kohler and Mr. Sokoloff for advising the students through this challenging process, and today’s final speeches are victories within themselves.”