Finding Their Voice: Swain Campus Eighth Graders Share Inspiration Speeches

This year, the Class of 2030 spent weeks studying rhetoric: the art of persuasive and impactful communication. Students learned how to build a speech from the ground up, weaving together the rhetorical appeals of logos, pathos, and ethos while developing techniques to engage and connect with an audience. They then put those lessons into practice by crafting and delivering speeches that were entirely their own.

The prompt was intentionally open-ended: speak about someone who inspired them, a belief they held deeply, a passion they hoped to pursue, or what their time at Swain had taught them. The result was a collection of speeches that were heartfelt, humorous, reflective, and deeply personal.

Over six sessions held from April 23 through May 8, 22 eighth graders stepped up to the microphone in Rogers Commons to share their stories and perspectives with the community. This year’s speech titles included A House Full of Love, Laughter, and Music, Persistence Is Hereditary. Unfortunately., My Lanterns, and Second Time’s the Charm.

The Inspiration Speeches were more than a public speaking assignment—they were a celebration of student voice, courage, curiosity, and growth. They offered a glimpse into the character and experiences of students as they prepared to take the next step in their Moravian Academy journey.

For everyone who attended, the speeches left a lasting impression: moments of laughter, reflection, inspiration, and connection that beautifully captured the spirit of the school community.