2024 CONTEST PROMPT

While traditional definitions of leadership often reference hierarchies and formal authority, we embrace a broader definition of leadership – a definition that suggests everyone can be a leader! In our definition of leadership, we think of leadership as a choice, rather than a position.

How have you chosen to be a leader in an unexpected, informal, or non-traditional way? (Please answer all of the following prompts in your submission).

What does it look like to be a leader in an unexpected, informal, or non-traditional way?

Share an example of a time you were a leader in an unexpected, informal, or non-traditional way.

How were you and those within your circle of influence changed because of your leadership example?

**Some examples of non-traditional leadership include but are not limited to: 1) putting the needs of others before your own and using your leadership to serve others, 2) inspiring and motivating others to reach their full potential, 3) working well with others to achieve a common goal, 4) understanding and managing others' emotions around you to create a positive social environment, etc.**

All students are encouraged to enter by submitting up to a five (5) minute video. Students can speak in their native language - not just English!

THE JUDGING PROCESS

Following the submission deadline, several regional winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. The regional winners will receive a special certificate and will be featured on the Leader in Me blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube Channel.

From the group of regional winners, five (5) grand prize winners will be selected by a panel of judges using these criteria:

• Individual, ages 5-10: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.

• Individual, ages 11-15: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.

• Individual, ages 16-19: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 USD leadership grant.

• School: One (1) school grand prize winner will receive a $2,000 USD leadership grant. NEW THIS YEAR – for a school to be eligible to win in the school category, they must connect with another school on Global Connect (found on LIM Online) and share about their Student Speech Contest experience with another school on Global Connect. Global Connect can be accessed by going to https://www.leaderinme.com/global_connect. If you have any questions, please contact Janita.Andersen@franklincovey.com.

• Popular Vote: One (1) popular vote winner will receive a $500 USD leadership grant. Please note that to be eligible for the popular vote contest, speeches must be centered on the prompt. The judges have sole discretion to disqualify any popular vote contest entry that does not fulfill the requirements of the speech contest and/or the prompt.

All winners will be announced May 13, 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: Popular votes only count if the vote is submitted through this platform via the "Vote Now" button. This voting will take place April 27, 2024 - May 3, 2024. Votes or "likes" submitted through social media platforms will not count towards the popular vote contest.

RULES AND GUIDELINES

The following rules and guidelines will help parents or guardians support participating students in producing a great video.

Who is eligible to participate?

Any student worldwide (ages 5 to 19) that attends a licensed Leader in Me school is eligible to participate. Parents and guardians are encouraged to assist, but the student must do the majority of the work!

Step 1: Prepare a Great Message

• Be sure to answer the prompt fully and and address ALL the questions and prompts included.

• Seek permission and/or credit the source of any third-party content referenced during the speech.

Step 2: Determine Your Entry Category

Individual

• This entry video is led and reported on by an individual Leader in Me student, but the student can have help and support from their family or school.

• There are three (3) individual entry categories: ages 5-10, ages 11-15, and ages 16-19.

• Students can only qualify to win in one (1) entry category.

School

• School-wide led - this entry video can be led and reported on by a classroom, a small team of students, or even an entire school.

• NEW THIS YEAR – for a school to be eligible to win in the school category, they must connect with another school on Global Connect (found on LIM Online) and share about their Student Speech Contest experience with another school on Global Connect. Global Connect can be accessed by going to https://www.leaderinme.com/global_connect. If you have any questions, please contact Janita.Andersen@franklincovey.com.

Step 3: How to Present Your Results

• Think of creative ways to make the speech entry memorable, engaging, and unique.

• Maintain consistent eye contact, use appropriate gestures, and speak clearly with expression.

• Consider visuals, such as slides, posters, a unique background, or objects, that might strengthen your message.

• Memorize your speech.

MAKE A VIDEO

• The video should be no longer than five (5) minutes in length.

• Make sure you film in a quiet location (no major background noise, like traffic, lawnmowers, or other people.)

• Submissions must be in standard video formats, such as: MOV (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4), FLV (.flv), or WMV (.wmv).

• The video must not include third-party intellectual property or copyright-protected content, like logos on shirts or branded products visible in background or songs. Your video will be be disqualified if it includes third-party intellectual property or copyright-protected content.

Step 4: Submit Your Entry

• Complete the official entry form.

• Print and upload a signed release form from a parent or guardian for each student appearing in the video.

• Submit a .doc or .txt (or similar) file of your speech

• Teachers - if you are submitting entries on behalf of your students, the entry must be in the student’s name, not yours.

• Enter via YouTube or upload speech in an acceptable video format

• Entry indicates participants and parents or guardians agree to give FranklinCovey ownership of video content.

CONTEST RESOURCES

For important contest resources, please visit https://www.leaderinme.org/student-speech-contest-2024.

Important contest resources include:

Judging Rubric

Parent Consent Form (English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese)

Editable Speech Contest Flyer

English Printable Flyer

WHAT IS A LEADERSHIP GRANT?

Consider ways that you can make a difference.

The purpose of a leadership grant is to inspire and enable students to be life-ready leaders by using the grant to make a difference within their circle of influence. A leadership grant will be awarded by FranklinCovey to students who are selected as winners in this year's student speech contest. As participants work to develop a speech, they should consider what they would do with the leadership grant if awarded the prize. The decision is up to the student, but here are a few suggestions to make a difference as a leader:

• Identify and fix a problem that exists at school.

• Donate the money to a charitable contribution.

• Purchase personal school supplies.

• Help a class member or family in need.

• Contribute to a college fund.

About Us

For nearly three decades, FranklinCovey Education, a division of FranklinCovey, has been one of the world's most prominent and trusted providers of educational leadership programs and transformational processes. Our mission is to enable greatness in students, educators, and school communities everywhere. The FranklinCovey Education team is primarily composed of outstanding former teachers and administrators at various education levels, and those from organizations that share a belief in and commitment to helping students achieve their potential, improving school culture and increasing school effectiveness.

FranklinCovey's offerings, books, methodologies, and tools have been utilized by thousands of public and private primary, secondary, and postsecondary schools and institutions, including educational service centers and vocational schools in all 50 states in the U.S. and in over 150 countries.