A confident schoolgirl scooped top prize in a public speaking competition.

Rachel Opoku-Appiah won top prize in the Sutton regional final of Jack Petchey Speak Out challenge, which asks young people to speak about a topic of their choice.

Wallington High School pupil Rachel, 15, was beat off competition from 13 other year 10 students from around Sutton. Her winning speech 'Getting High' impressed the judges and landed her a £100 gift voucher as well as a place in the national final of the competition.

She said: "Participating in this event has boosted my self-confidence. It has been an amazing experience." 

The contest is hosted by the Speakers Trust and funded by east London businessman and philanthropist Jack Petchey.

Second place went to Khadijah Hayden, 15 from Carshalton High School for Girls with her speech 'You are Beautiful' and third place went to Grace Hitchcock,15, from the Cheam High School with her speech titled 'Live for the Day'.


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