CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH
NEWS
CPF National
ISSN 1202-7384 ISSUE NO.95, SPRING 2004
On Saturday May 29th, 2004, CPF held
its second annual National Concours
d'art oratoire at the University of
Alberta’s Faculté Saint-Jean in
Edmonton. The French public-spea-
king contest brought together 35
Canadian senior high-school students
who competed and won at schools,
then at regional and provincial levels.
The national finalists presented spee-
ches they wrote in French – which, for
many of them, is their second language
– to a panel of judges in one of five
categories.
“The Concours is truly an educational
and cultural experience like no other,”
said Dr. Ian Richmond, CPF President.
“The students are challenged in a pub-
lic forum. They have an opportunity to
travel to another area of Canada and
socialize with other French-speaking
youth.”
In addition to the speeches, double
Olympic bronze medalist Clara Hughes
addressed the participants during the
Awards Ceremony. As one of Canada’s
best-ever cyclists and speed skaters,
Clara understands the value of being a
well-rounded individual. The first
Canadian ever to medal in both the
Summer and Winter Olympic Games,
she can speak to the importance of
conquering new challenges, whether
they be physical or educational.
Following the competition, all the par-
ticipants and chaperones spent the
afternoon at the West Edmonton Mall,
the world’s largest shopping mall. With
over 800 stores, restaurants and attrac-
tions, everyone disappeared for a few
hours, only to re-emerge with numer-
ous shopping bags! Supper was held at
Jubilation’s Live Dinner Theatre, where
a few students became “actors” during
the 1950s beach theme play.
The prize for the CPF National
Concours d'art oratoire 2004 first place
winners was an award of $200 in each
category, funded through the Jos Scott
Memorial Fund. Each second place
winner received a $50 gift certificate
provided by Firefly Books Ltd. and
third place winners received a polar
fleece vest courtesy of Faculté St-Jean.
The Embassy of Fran