N E W S    R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2007

Sussex:  The 21st annual provincial Concours d’art oratoire (French public speaking competition) organized by Canadian Parents for French New Brunswick and sponsored by Aliant and Université de Moncton was held at St. Malachy’s Memorial High School on May 5, 2007, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.  This is a provincial public speaking competition held annually for students in Core French and French Immersion programs.  All nine Anglophone school districts participated.  This event allows students to use and strengthen their French second language skills while competing for provincial recognition.  Participants receive “Proud of Two Languages” t-shirts and participation certificates.  First, second and third place winners receive cash awards donated by Aliant; trophies and commemorative plaques donated by CPF New Brunswick.  The first place winners of the grade 12 Early French Immersion, the grade 12 Late French Immersion, and the grades 11/12 Core French categories won an all expense paid trip to Ottawa to compete at the CPF National Concours d’art oratoire on May 26  at the University of Ottawa. 

For the first time this year, Canadian Parents for French, New Brunswick Branch and the Université de Moncton have formed a partnership to award a $2,000 per year scholarship to these top three winners, renewable for up to five years or $10,000.  This scholarship will be awarded to Conor George, 1st place winner in Grade 12 Early French Immersion, from St. Malachy’s Memorial High School in Saint John; to Gillian Phillips, 1st place winner in  Grade 12 Late French Immersion from Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton; and to Trudie MacDonald, 1st place winner in the Grades 11/12 Core French from James M. Hill Memorial High School in Miramichi.  Université de Moncton will also award a $4,000 scholarship, renewable for up to five years or $20,000 to a student from New Brunswick who wins at the national competition in Ottawa, where the students will compete with other French second language students from across Canada.   

The objective of this public speaking event is to stimulate the interest of students whose first language is not French, in the learning and speaking of French.  This event gives students an opportunity to speak about a subject which is of interest to them.  It also gives students a chance to interact in French with their peers, teachers and officials in a setting other than school.  Both the public speaking and this interaction reinforces the principle that a language is more than a school subject, but rather a vehicle to communicate ideas to others.  The event is open to students in Anglophone school districts, in grades six to twelve, whose first language is not French and who are enrolled in a French Immersion or Core French program. 

One hundred and thirty one students traveled to Saint John from across the province on May 5 to compete in the Early French Immersion, Late French Immersion and Core French categories.  Opening Ceremonies begin at 12:30 with Special Guest speakers, Hon. Dr. Ed Doherty, M.L.A. Saint John Harbour, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training & Labour, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs; His Worship Norm McFarlane, Mayor of Saint John; and Lyne Montsion, Specialist, French Immersion & Spanish, Department of Education.  The speech competition began at 1:00 p.m.  Thirty-five volunteer judges from Kennebecasis Valley and the Saint John area adjudicated.  Awards and Closing Ceremony were held at 3:30 p.m.  This event is made possible by the efforts of dedicated CPF volunteers working with educators and members of the business community. 

Contact:  Jane Keith, Executive Director

                 Canadian Parents for French New Brunswick
                  Tel:  432-6584, Fax:  432-6751
                        Email:  cpfnb@nbnet.nb.ca or janekeith@nb.aibn.com