On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the City of St. John’s hosted the annual Speak Up and Promote Environmental Responsibilities (SUPER) Speak-Off Event at City Hall Council Chambers.

The event brought together talented Grade 6 students from Bishop Abraham Elementary, Hazelwood Elementary, Macdonald Drive Elementary, and Roncalli Elementary Schools. Prior to the final event, each participating school hosted its own speak-off competition, where up to three finalists were selected to advance to the citywide showcase at Council Chambers.

Students delivered thoughtful and engaging speeches focused on environmental responsibility, sustainability, and the future of our planet. From climate change and litter prevention to wildlife protection and renewable transportation, the speeches reflected a strong sense of leadership and community awareness among the young participants.

Council Chambers was filled with proud families, teachers, classmates, and City staff who gathered to celebrate the students’ hard work and dedication. The effort each participant put into researching and presenting their topic was evident throughout the evening, creating an inspiring and educational experience for everyone in attendance.

The event’s top honour went to Isra Rutub from Macdonald Drive Elementary School for the winning speech, “A Nightmare and A Dream.” Her presentation stood out for its creativity, passion, and powerful message about protecting the environment.

A special thank you was also extended to the event judges for their time and thoughtful evaluation of each presentation:

• Steph O'Quinn, Executive Director, Nature NL 
• Edmundo Fausto, Manager, Parks and Sustainability, City of St. John’s 
• Matthew Peddle, Manager, Waste and Recycling, City of St. John’s 

Their support helped make the event both meaningful and impactful for participating students.

The SUPER Speak-Off Event highlighted the importance of youth voices in environmental advocacy and showcased how students are already thinking critically about the challenges facing our planet. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding efforts and for inspiring others to help keep our communities clean, safe, and sustainable for future generations.

Student Finalists and Speech Topics

• Shiven Chauhan - The Benefits of Electric Vehicles
• Gwendolyn Crotty - What Does Climate Change Mean for Today’s Youth?
• Ariana Gitonga - Causes of Littering
• Beth Kean - The Effects of AI on Our Environment
• Kathy Micklethwaite - Litter Prevention and City Beautification
• Bailey Miller - Climate Change: Effects on Today’s Youth, Wildlife, and Waterways. How Can We Help Our Planet?
• Athena Okonji - Effects on Wildlife and Waterways
• Dasha Onyshchenko - Littering in St. John’s: Causes and Consequences
• Juliette Osmond - The Benefits of Trees in Our Environment
• Isra Rutub - A Nightmare and A Dream
• Nathan Whalen - The Truth About Single-Use Plastics