Student Government Day 2019: Speech Competition to Select Student Governor

The winner of a speech competition will determine the student governor for Student Government Day (SGD) on April 5, 2019. The student governor will deliver the speech to the Joint Convention of the Senate and House during SGD. Only one student will be selected. The speech competition is open to student designees only; submissions from alternates will not be accepted.

To be eligible for selection as student governor, the designee must submit a written speech to studentgovday@doe.mass.edu by 3:00 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

Speech Requirements

Topic: On November 8, 2018, Governor Charlie Baker signed S2631, An Act to promote and enhance civic engagement. This act requires that each public school serving students in eighth grade and each public high school provide all students an opportunity to participate in a non-partisan student-led civics project consistent with the 2018 History and Social Science Curriculum Framework . The Framework emphasizes a renewed mission for civic education such that students are prepared with the knowledge and skills to become thoughtful and active participants in a democratic society and a complex world. In a speech to your peers, discuss the importance of civics education and the ways in which you and fellow students from across the Commonwealth can strengthen youth civic engagement to advance the mission of the Framework.

Criteria: The speech must be non-partisan and take no more than 3 minutes to deliver. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, organization of ideas, and overall understanding of the topic. All submissions must be typed double spaced, dated, and include the student's name, the name and email address of the student's advisor, and the name of the school. Video or audio clips may optionally accompany each submission.

Timeline: Speeches are due on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 by 3:00 p.m. The selected student's advisor will be notified by email by Thursday, March 7, 2019.

Dress Code: Proper respect for one's colleagues and our institutions is an important part of the culture of government. Appropriate dress for the day is business attire, including proper footwear. Appropriate men's attire includes a collared shirt and tie. Sport coats and/or suits with dress shoes are preferred for both men and women. Attire such as jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, sandals, and flip-flops are not considered appropriate.