John Paul College Student Wins National Speech Competition With Imagination Speech
- Before the stars were named, someone looked into the night sky and dared to wonder if those distant lights were more than just dots in the darkness, Niksha...
- Pardal spent roughly two weeks writing and practicing her speech before presenting it to a judging panel and live audience.
- In addition to her prepared remarks, finalists faced an impromptu speaking test on the topic courage is contagious with only three minutes to prepare.
Before the stars were named, someone looked into the night sky and dared to wonder if those distant lights were more than just dots in the darkness,
Niksha Pardal said in her winning speech for the 2026 GreatTalk National Speech competition. The Year 11 student at John Paul College claimed first place in her category by arguing that imagination drives human evolution, empathy, and scientific discovery.
National Speech Competition Win at John Paul College
Pardal spent roughly two weeks writing and practicing her speech before presenting it to a judging panel and live audience. She competed against other finalists who took a more scientific approach by focusing on how imagination leads directly to inventions. Instead, Pardal concentrated on how creative thinking helps individuals understand the emotions of others. Her mother, Manjula Pardal, noted that Niksha first performed on stage at age nine in a character recital class. Manjula expressed pride in her daughter’s dedication, confidence, and overall effort throughout the competition.
Impromptu Challenge on Courage is Contagious
In addition to her prepared remarks, finalists faced an impromptu speaking test on the topic courage is contagious
with only three minutes to prepare. Pardal admitted she felt surprised by how well the impromptu segment went despite having no prior experience with the format. She remained calm, devised a strong hook, outlined a few key points, and delivered a clear conclusion. The panel of judges rewarded her performance, ultimately naming her the category winner for 2026.
Mock Debate at Parliament on October 19
Following her victory, Pardal and the other national finalists received an invitation to Parliament for a mock debate scheduled for October 19. Organizers arranged the visit to give students direct experience inside Parliament. Looking beyond her secondary school studies at John Paul College, Pardal stated an intention to pursue higher education in either medicine or law.