Kshithij is National UN Youth Voice Champion
Perth Modern School student Kshithij Chandrashekar is the national UN Youth Voice winner.
In the competition, which was held online, students are required to deliver a speech and then respond to questions by the judging panel.
Ksithij, 15, chose the topic “How can rapidly growing Australian cities be developed whilst maintaining natural and green spaces?”
His innovative and practical solution was to create the next generation of urban green spaces using moss panels, which are panels of living moss through which air is passed. This allows for the capture of airborne particulates, cooling of the air, production of invaluable climate data and making our cities green. Arrays of moss panels can turn streets and towering skyscrapers into the urban green spaces of tomorrow, supplementing the many benefits that green spaces provide.
Ksithij had a journey over several years to make it to the national Voice final in 2023. He entered the regional round in 2020, progressed to the State and national finals in 2021 and 2022, before winning the National Voice in his third attempt.
“The National Finals involved two separate sections: the speech and impromptu questions,” Kshithij said. The speech allows you to demonstrate your public speaking abilities, researching skills and ideation while the impromptu really tests your ability to think on your feet.
‘The part that I most enjoyed in this competition was the fact it pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to achieve my very best,” Kshithij said. “It also allowed me to develop good public speaking skills, something I will cherish greatly in the future.”
“I think that the most challenging aspect was the impromptu speaking. It took a lot of research regarding my topic and idea to help me formulate and fluent cohesive two-minute answers in short periods of time.”
He said he felt “absolutely ecstatic” when he was announced as the overall national winner.
“Everyone presented such outstanding speeches, and the competition was intense,” he said. “It’s an honour to win Australia’s biggest public speaking competition and bring the trophy to Western Australia.”
“It was also wonderful celebrating the moment with my family, teachers and friends.”
Kshithij said he wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this competition to other students.
“The contest has really expanded my horizons, not only in the skills of oration, but also in understanding and tackling global problems, which has been invaluable. Voice has also allowed me to better communicate my ideas and opinions which is an essential skill to have in our modern world.”
Principal of Perth Modern School Mitchell Mackay said Kshithij was an amazing young man with the world at his feet.
‘Kshithij has shown a high degree of commitment and dedication to reach this pinnacle and it’s tremendous to see how he has honed his public speaking skills over the past few years to come out on top in this hard-fought national competition.”
