Eligibility

Grades 6 to 12, in two divisions that never compete against each other

A Grade 6 student and a Grade 12 student are not at the same stage of thinking, writing or stagecraft. They are scored, shortlisted and awarded separately.

Division one

Middle School

Grade 6–8

Own shortlist, own local Top 3 at each venue, own national Top 3.
Own Best Content & Ideas and Best Delivery special awards.
Own Youth Voice Spirit & Community Impact Award.
Clubs at this age should have a named teacher advisor or staff support.

Division two

High School

Grade 9–12

Own shortlist, own local Top 3 at each venue, own national Top 3.
Own Best Content & Ideas and Best Delivery special awards.
Own Youth Voice Spirit & Community Impact Award.
Eligible for the charity-aligned club pathway where a partner program applies.

Founding-year parameters

What the first edition commits to

Founding-year eligibility parameters
Item	Founding year
Grades	Grade 6 through Grade 12
Divisions	Middle School Division (Grade 6–8) and High School Division (Grade 9–12)
Language	English speech
Live field size	Around 12 competitors at Toronto and around 12 at Vancouver. In principle each division takes roughly half, adjusted for actual entry numbers.
Future expansion	From the second edition, regions, languages or finer age divisions can be added as entry volume justifies. The founding year keeps two age divisions only.

Venues

Toronto and Vancouver, one competition

Toronto

Main venue

Hosted at Merit College. Opens the day with the joint kickoff, carries the primary stream and cross-venue link, and provides technical support for the National Awards Panel.

Vancouver

Linked venue

Run by the Vancouver venue team, with local competitors, judges and guests, synchronized live link and same-day video upload for national review. Venue to be confirmed.

Check the entry list, then film your two minutes.

Five items make up a complete entry. The video audition is a single take — it is not meant to be a production.

How to enter Competition day