Canada Day Contest 2024

Venue: Popular Room, Allan Reuter Center, Cambridge, Ontario

The Canada Day Contest, hosted by Cambridge Toastmasters, took place in the Popular Room and was a resounding success. Here's a detailed overview of the event:

Opening and Welcome

The event commenced with Puneet Kaur, Sargent at Arms, extending a warm welcome to all attendees. Master of Ceremonies Kevin Swayze then took the stage, introducing the Canada Day Contest and inviting Chief Judge Bill Kirby to share his insights.

Chief Judge's Address

Bill Kirby highlighted the significance of the Canada Day Contest, a tradition since 1992, emphasizing its role in celebrating both the art of public speaking and national pride. He outlined the rules regarding originality and eligibility, setting the stage for the contestants.

Contestant Speeches

1. CJ Janzen – "Coming Home"
   • CJ Janzen shared her rich travel experiences across countries like Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand, and Mexico, where she lived for extended periods. As a Certified Scuba Diving Instructor, her speech was interspersed with diverse songs from various genres. She poignantly concluded with her return to Canada due to illness, emphasizing the sentiment of coming home.
     
2. Andrew Bol – "Canada the Great"
   • Andrew Bol captivated the audience by starting with the vastness of the Milky Way and gradually narrowing his focus to Canada. He recounted his family's journey and adaptation after emigrating from Holland, highlighting the welcoming nature of Canada.
     
3. Mackenzie Ferreira
   • Mackenzie Ferreira spoke eloquently about his Portuguese roots and what it means to be Canadian. He delved into the demographic changes in Canada, celebrating the cultural diversity through examples like beer from London, soccer from Europe, and shawarma from the Middle East.
4. Rob Masango
   • Rob Masango recounted his experiences with his first Canadian snowstorm and the challenges he faced in securing his first job due to a lack of Canadian experience. His speech resonated with many as he detailed how he overcame these hurdles and embraced his new life in Canada.

Interview Session

Following the speeches, Kevin Swayze conducted an engaging interview session with the contestants:

• CJ Janzen shared her favourite singer and the songs she avoids.
• Andrew Bol discussed his strategic plan if he were hired by Canadian Tourism.
• Rob Masango elaborated on how he tackled the challenges of finding his first job in Canada.
• Mackenzie Ferreira provided his thoughts on the definition of "Nice."

Awards Ceremony

The event culminated in the awards ceremony:

• 1st Place: Mackenzie Ferreira
• 2nd Place: CJ Janzen
• 3rd Place: Andrew Bol

Asaad Kamaal, the artisan behind the handcrafted trophy, presented the awards to the deserving winners, bringing the contest to a celebratory close.

Conclusion

The Canada Day Contest at Cambridge Toastmasters was a testament to the power of storytelling and the diverse experiences that shape our identities as Canadians. Each speech, filled with personal anecdotes and cultural reflections, underscored the shared values and experiences that bind us together. The event not only celebrated public speaking but also fostered a sense of community and national pride.

The participants' speeches and the subsequent interviews offered a rich tapestry of experiences and insights, making the Canada Day Contest a memorable event. Congratulations to all the participants and especially to the winners for their outstanding performances.

Blog post and photos contributed by Sud Taneja.

Asaad Kamaal presenting Mackenzie Ferreira with the first place trophy, accompanied by the Contest Chair, Kevin Swayze

CJ Janzen being presented the second place certificate by Kevin Swayze

Andrew Bol being presented the third place certificate by Kevin Swayze

Rob Masungo being presented a contestant certificate by Kevin Swayze

Artisan Asaad Kamaal, presenting the new handcrafted Canada Day trophy to Bill Kirby