Speech

Thank you for your interest in this year’s MAYS 2020 ‘ Lending a Hand’ Virtual Speech Contest. We would like to thank Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR) for their partnership to host this program.

1. Complete the MAYS Speech Program Registration Form

2. Create a 3-5 minute speech about 1 of the 3 prompt options below

3. Submit a video or recording of your speech to maysspeech@vietaya.org on Oct 31, 2020 before 11:59PM

 Please choose from the following prompts:

1) Topic: Hand in Hand
What are you passionate about? How can you share your passion with your local and/or global community in a way that fosters unity? Whether it be a social cause, organization, or hobby, describe your passion and how it connects you to your community and contributes to your worldview.

• Theme: community and connection

2) Topic: Arms Lengths Away
Have you ever had to confront your bicultural identity as an Asian American? Whether it was a situation of discrimination or celebration, describe the situation and what helped you come to terms with the intersectionality of your Asian American identity.

• Theme: self identity

3) Topic: At your Fingertip
If you were to leave the Earth tomorrow, what is one impact or legacy you would want to leave behind or be remembered for? What do you think your purpose in life is? Identify a social issue or challenge of today and what kind of work or plans do you have to make it better. Or identify a career or field that interests you and how you plan to leave an impact through those skills. 

• Theme: life’s purpose

1. Each speech must last a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes. An additional 5 points will be added to all speeches that stay within the time limit. 

2. To fit the virtual format, we will only be accepting video submissions this year.

3. Because you will have the option to submit a recording, you may NOT have any notes for this speech.

4. Before starting your speech, please briefly introduce yourself. Provide your first and last name, grade, high school and prompt topic (i.e. “Hand in Hand”).

5. Please try to dress in appropriate attire (Semi-professional, if available) for your video submission.

6. If accessible, please use a microphone and record yourself on “landscape” mode.

7. Please simulate a live speech performance (imagine that you are in front of a crowd, use the floor but don’t go off-screen, use appropriate hand gestures, and ensure that you're projecting your voice at an appropriate volume).

• Take a look at the following examples:

1. How to Figure Out What You Really Want | Ashley Stahl | TEDxLeidenUniversity
2. It is okay not to have a plan | Mithila Palkar | TEDxNITSilchar
3. Why I quit my job to pursue my childhood dream | Jason Y. Lee | TEDxUCIrvine

8. Access the scoring guideline here 

**Monetary awards will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Monetary awards will be distributed to the winners after Saturday, November 14th, 2020.

1st: $250 per student

2nd: $150 per student

3rd: $100 per student

Sunday, October 31st

• Please submit a video or recording of your speech to maysspeech@vietaya.org on Oct 31, 2020 before 11:59PM. All recordings and videos must be submitted on time to enter. Late submissions will not be considered. 

Monday, November 8th 

• The top five contestants will be notified via email. Video recordings of top five contestants will be posted on MAYS website and voting form will go live on November 8th at 5pm PDT until November 12th at 11:59pm PDT.

Saturday, November 14th

• Final contestants winners’ videos will be posted and winners will also be notified via phone. 

Email: maysspeech@vietaya.org