Kingston’s finest school-aged speakers gathered for the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge.

Nineteen students from eight schools took part at the regional final, hosted by Chessington Community College on Tuesday, May 11, and spoke on everything from stealing cookies to bullying.

Entertainment broke up the high level of oratory, with Sai Prudhvi Ulluri, 15, from Tiffin School, taking top spot with his talk about taking risks.

He won an iPod touch and will go through to the gala final of the challenge, featuring the country’s best speakers, on July 9.

Runner up was Elliot Blagrove, 15, from Chessington Community College, who gave an impassioned speech about bullying, while third place went to 15-year-old Jason Pollard from Coombe Boys’ School, whose colourful speech Sweet Vindication had the audience smiling.

Mayor of Kingston, former councillor Ian McDonald presented the prizes.

Sai said: “I am delighted. It was very nerve-racking, but great fun in the end.”

By the time the country’s best school-aged speaker is uncovered, about 20,000 pupils will have taken part this year.

For more details, and to see some winning speeches, visit speakoutchallenge.com.