“Living is a choice,” Tyler Parkins ’28 told the crowded DuBois Theatre. “When you decide to live, you’ll see that pain and joy coexist….When you decide to live, you’ll see that you’re not so alone in this world after all. When you decide to live, you’ll bring others along with you.”

Once again, the annual Sophomore Speech Contest kicked off the final sprint to the end of the year, and Tyler, along with nine fellow speakers from across English 2 classes, gave judges the difficult task of choosing only one winner. 

“The quality of speeches was so high that the judges deliberated for more than 30 minutes before reaching a conclusion,” English department chair and event emcee Jim Moore, Hon. ’93 explained.

The slate of speeches covered a wide array of topics centered around spaces that have had an impact on the speaker’s life. Sports weighed heavily on the minds of some, as did family members (both two-legged and four), demonstrating that places are more often defined by the people you share them with. Across the board, the evening’s speeches were thoughtful, well-articulated and composed.

“I want to make sure that while we’re giving credit to all contestants for their superb work, we also acknowledge the guidance of their teachers who helped them craft such excellent speeches,” Mr. Moore continued.

At Friday’s School Meeting, it was Tyler who was awarded first place from English teacher Kendall Rice’s class, with Lenox Nickles ’28 claiming second for Ms. Rice’s class as well. In third place from English teacher Amira Shokr’s class, Michael Martic ’28 shared a heartfelt speech about the connection between him and his sister, soon-to-be Blair graduate Gianna ’26.

At the end of her speech, Tyler left the audience with a poignant reminder: “With your knowledge of who you are as a result of the moments and spaces that have shaped you, know that you’re here right now. What you choose to do, who you choose to be and what choice you make to impact the people in this space…that is entirely up to you.”