FAQ
Short answers, including the uncomfortable ones
If a question is not answered here, the organizing team would rather you asked than guessed.
01 Who can enter?
Any student in Grade 6 through 12. Grade 6–8 competes in the Middle School Division, Grade 9–12 in the High School Division. The two divisions never compete against each other.
02 What does it cost?
A $100 CAD registration fee per competitor, submitted with the registration form and video audition.
03 Do I have to be a strong English speaker?
You have to be clear and have something to say. Accent is explicitly not a scoring factor — judges score ideas, structure, delivery clarity, originality and impact.
04 Can I use slides?
No. Small cue cards are allowed. No slides, no video, no large props. The speech carries the whole performance.
05 How many students compete live?
Around 12 at Toronto and around 12 at Vancouver in the founding year, split roughly evenly between the two divisions and adjusted for actual entry numbers. If entries exceed capacity, the video audition becomes a qualification round scored on one common standard.
06 Can someone else write my speech?
No. The speech must substantially reflect your own views. A coach, teacher or parent may suggest revisions — they may not write it for you.
07 Do I speak more than once?
No. Every speech is delivered once. National review is done on the original competition-day recording, so nobody gets a second run at it.
08 Does competing count as volunteer hours?
Competing on its own is not volunteer hours. Merit College logs hours for youth service and volunteer tasks you actually complete, and your own school or principal makes the final call on whether those hours count toward a diploma requirement.
09 Does winning help with university admissions?
It is a verifiable record of public speaking and civic participation that you can point to. We do not claim, and no honest program can claim, that it guarantees admissions credit.
10 Can I start a Youth Voice Club at my school?
Every Grade 6–12 competitor is eligible to apply. Actual formation needs your school’s approval, and Grade 6–8 clubs should have a named teacher advisor or staff support.
11 Is the biggest donation going to win the Spirit Award?
No, and that is deliberate. Donation amounts can be submitted as impact evidence, but fundraising is only 20% of the Spirit Award rubric and there is no "most money wins" rule. Family financial capacity should not decide a youth award.
12 Can a sponsor buy a judging seat or a finalist slot?
No. Selection rights come from organizational capability and partnership qualification, never from payment. Sponsorship is separate financial and resource support, and sponsors may participate only in non-adjudicative sessions.
Still unsure whether to enter?
You need one question you cannot stop thinking about and four minutes of nerve. Everything else is paperwork the organizing team will walk you through.