Honey Akinola, a student at Hampton Gardens Secondary School, has been crowned the winner of the Anglia Ruskin University Peterborough Speak Out Challenge 2025—a competition designed to empower young voices in public speaking.
Funded by Anglia Ruskin University and delivered by the charity Speakers Trust, this program has become the largest youth speaking competition in the world, with over 35,000 students participating this year alone. Now in its second year, the initiative saw 14 state secondary schools in Peterborough take part in free workshops, designed to equip Year 10 students with the confidence and skills to express themselves without hesitation.
The competition’s final, hosted at ARU Peterborough, showcased the talent and courage of 15 young speakers. The judging panel featured esteemed figures from the local community—leaders in education, activism, and the arts—including Dale Gregory (Deputy Director, Student Recruitment, Anglia Ruskin University), Dr Esther Norton (Assistant Principal, ARU Peterborough), Bernadetta Omondi (Chairman, Black History Month Peterborough), Errol Ballantyne (Choir Director, Peterborough Community Gospel Choir), Councillor Dennis Jones (Leader of the Council, Peterborough City Council), and Gary Huskisson (Leader, Youth & Education Workgroup, Peterborough Racial Equality Council & Poet).
Addressing a captivated audience, Honey explored the meaning of racism in today’s society, urging her peers to examine their own biases and perceptions. Her ability to challenge conventional thinking resonated deeply, leaving a lasting impression on both the judges and attendees.
Dr Esther Norton reflected on the event, stating, “I was genuinely impressed by the originality of the topics chosen. The students really made me think.”
With her powerful speech, Honey claimed the top trophy and a prize of £50. When asked about the experience, she shared, “Honestly, it’s been such a great opportunity to let other young people hear what I had to say. Confidence is so important, and the Speak Out Challenge gave me that.”
The runner-up prize was awarded to Kiyara Djabi Silva Mane from Ormiston Bushfield Academy for her speech, ‘You Don’t Get To Tell Me Who I Have To Be.’ Kiyara expressed gratitude, saying, “I’ve gained so much experience and come such a long way. I’ll be forever grateful to Speakers Trust for this opportunity.”
Third place went to Talitha Rees from The King’s (The Cathedral) School, who discussed the importance of making intentional choices instead of falling into the ‘default effect.’ Talitha summed up the experience by saying, “I’ve loved every moment of it. I think it has been a great opportunity. Thank you so much to Speakers Trust.”
Beyond the competition itself, Anglia Ruskin University’s sponsorship ensures that each participating state-secondary school in Cambridge and Peterborough benefits from a subsidised one-day workshop in public speaking and communication skills. The measurable impact has been evident, with 93% of students improving their presenting abilities throughout the 2023/24 academic year.
Speakers Trust, the UK’s leading public speaking training charity, works to ensure that young people and professionals alike develop the skills to confidently express themselves in any setting. Their vision is a society in which every voice is heard. More information can be found at speakerstrust.org.
Anglia Ruskin University, a leading institution in East Anglia, has been recognized for its commitment to education and social mobility, earning the prestigious University of the Year title from Times Higher Education in 2023. With a strong emphasis on employability, ARU ranks in the top 10% of UK universities for graduate job placement.
