“Make Your Speech” TN Gallery and Resources
Discover Kidizenship’s 2024 Make Your Speech Contest. We asked Tennessee students in 4th through 8th grades to write and perform their own presidential speeches.
Welcome to the Make Your Speech, TN Gallery!
We created this gallery to display the participants and winners of Kidizenship’s Make Your Speech contest—but it doesn’t stop there. We also created it to share ideas and motivate you to make your speech. We hope that students and educators across the nation can be inspired by these young civic thinkers!
Keep scrolling to find out more about the contest, view our companion materials and see winner and finalist speeches. For now, enjoy a montage of some of the best moments from the speeches!
A great speech can inspire a nation.
The Prompt
The ask for the Make Your Speech contest was simple: If you won the 2024 presidential election, what would you want to say to the nation in your inaugural address?
The contest asked students to write and perform a two to three minute speech that outlined their plans for the nation over the next four years, including not just inspiring words—but also concrete ideas for change.
The speeches were judged by an all-star panel: Standup comedian Nate Bargatze, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Allison Russell, bestselling author Ann Patchett, and Titans cornerback Chidobe "Chido" Awuzie. The speeches were judged in two categories–one for 4th through 6th graders, one for 7th through 8th graders—and first prize was $1000, second place took home $750, with third place won $500.
Visit our contest landing page to find out more.
Companion Materials
Making a great speech means speaking from the heart. But that’s not all—crafting an inaugural speech also takes a lot of preparation and practice, from the moment you start brainstorming ideas, to when you get in front of the camera, and everything in between.
We put together a set of companion materials for students and educators who want help making the best speech possible. It includes writing tips, examples of great speeches throughout history, and resources for those who want to dive deeper.
Check it out before you begin writing your speech!
Speech gallery
Explore speeches by winners, finalists, and honorable mention recipients.
