Delivered by Speakers Trust and funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation, Patrick Ballesteros from Platanos College scooped top prize in the Lambeth Regional Final of Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! 2012-13, held at The Elmgreen School on 12th March 2013.

Patrick wowed the judges with his winning speech “The influence of the media” fighting of stiff competition from 13 other young speakers from schools in the Lambeth area.

Triumphant winner Patrick said, “I didn’t think it was possible. Everyone else was so amazing.”

Patrick’s father, Randolph Ballesteros was so proud "I don’t believe it! He’s so laid back at home. I’m in tears actually!”

8 schools in Lambeth took part in the Young Speakers competition, which involved over 280 year 10 students, who all received a full day of training in public speaking and effective communication.

Patrick won an iPod Touch for coming first and a chance to go through to the Grand Final of the “Speak Out” Challenge! on July 1st 2013.

The judging panel at the event included Graham Jackson, Secondary Education Advisor; Daniel Taylor, Managing Director, Metro Design; Catherine Ellis, BBC Journalist; Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Diane Abbot MP’s office and Debra Daley, Senior Stylist and Teacher.

The Mayor of Lambeth, Cllr Clive Bennett, presented the awards.

Second place went to Gillies Fryer from The Elmgreen School, with his speech “The D word” and third place went to Jaydene Reece Gardner from St Martin in the Fields School, with her speech titled “I want them off our streets”.

Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! is the biggest public speaking event of its kind in the world. Now in its eighth year, over 18,000 year 10 students are expected to compete for over £15,000 worth of prizes in this year’s final. For further details visit www.speakoutchallenge.com Ends.

Notes to editors About Speakers Trust Speakers Trust is the UK’s leading public speaking training charity which exists to help train and empower people who work for or receive support from the not-for-profit sector (which includes, schools, community groups, charities, colleges and the public sector) to live in a society where everybody has the skills, confidence and expertise to speak in public.

For further details please visit www.speakerstrust.org About the Jack Petchey Foundation The Jack Petchey Foundation, established in 1999, gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25.

Since it was established The Foundation has donated over £65m to a wide range of organisations and schools within London and Essex.

The Foundation is eager to help young people take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society. For further details visit the website www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk Press Enquiries:

For further information please contact: Bryan Anderson, Programme Director, Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge, on 020 7922 7902 or email: bryan.anderson@speakerstrust.org