The Magnificent Six

Not choosing to standby, six Macleans College speakers stood up last week and voiced their ideas, gaining entry into the semi-final of the Auckland Regional Race Unity Speech Competition.

On two separate nights: Tanuvi Garimella 12PPR, Catherin Chen 13DXB, Khorshed Tarapore 12NCM, Jason Liu 12NCM, Jasleen Oberoi 12NCM and Elisa Martin Moses 13BHH spoke loud and proud, detailing their own thoughts concerning race unity. They will all move on to compete for the national title.

This year’s competition was centered around the topic ‘Stand up for race unity - Don’t be a bystander.’ Speaking Coach Mr Green said, “these students researched and discussed long and hard on a very interesting topic. They have worked together as a team, though competing individually. A very talented and committed group of young speakers, destined for leadership in the future.” Macleans College has had three winners of the Auckland Regional competition since 2010.

The Race Unity Speech Awards were initiated by the New Zealand Bahá’í Community in 2001 in support of Race Relations Day (21 March). The New Zealand Police have been the principal sponsors since 2008, with other very welcome sponsorship coming from the Human Rights Commission, the Hedi Moani Charitable Trust, and the Office of Ethnic Communities. The NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils also provides valuable support.