High School Students Confront Social Issues in English: SIESC 2025 Championship Held in Tokyo

SIESC 2025 Summer Championship: Empowering Youth Voices

On September 15, 2025, the Social Impact English Speech Contest (SIESC) held its Summer Championship in Tokyo, featuring high school and middle school finalists from across the nation. This initiative aims to develop young people's awareness and expression regarding social issues through English speech. Nine finalists presented their powerful ideas and solutions on various topics, including education, environment, gender, human rights, animal protection, and food shortage. The event attracted a live audience and many online viewers, eager to hear the passionate speeches.

Highlighting the Winner: Anna Ishii

Among the finalists, Anna Ishii captured the top honor with her speech titled "Will for a Change." She focused on the alarming issue of clothing waste in Japan, where approximately 500,000 tons of clothes are discarded annually. Anna urged the audience to increase awareness about this issue and shared her school's initiative, "Revive & Thrive: Upcycling Runway," a project that highlighted the importance of sustainability through a fashion show using discarded materials and unwanted clothing.

In her conclusion, Anna powerfully stated, "The will to create change lies within ourselves. It is up to us to take action." She emphasized the significance of making small changes to initiate progress.

Anna expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Participating in this competition was a truly enriching experience. Initially, I felt nervous, but speaking in front of an audience allowed me to convey my passion. Competing outside of school is a valuable opportunity for growth in many aspects. I encourage future participants to focus on expressing their thoughts in their own words rather than worrying about grammatical mistakes. I would love to recommend this event to friends and acquaintances!"

Judge Profiles and Comments

Three esteemed judges evaluated the speeches, bringing their experience and insights to the competition.

Maiko Tamagawa Bacha (Lecturer at Stanford University SPICE) commented, "It was a pleasure to serve as a judge! The event ran smoothly and efficiently, and the students’ presentations were outstanding. It was an extremely inspiring event!"

Dr. Joe Hug (Professor at the Information and Management Innovation University) noted, "This event provided a fantastic opportunity for young voices to address social issues and make an impact. It was admirable to witness!"

Tyler Kusunoki (Head of International Advancement at Crimson Japan) shared, "Selecting one winner from so many exceptional presentations was genuinely challenging. Every participant exhibited a strong will and desire to enact change, leaving me optimistic about the future."

Event Overview

- Event Name: Social Impact English Speech Contest (SIESC) 2025 Summer Championship
- Date: September 15, 2025 (Monday, National Holiday) from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Location: Tokyo (in-person event) and online live streaming
- Participants: Nine finalists selected from across the country
- Judging Criteria: Creativity, messaging, social contribution, feasibility, English proficiency, and response to questions
- Awards: First Prize: Certificate + 100,000 yen; Second Prize: Certificate + 50,000 yen

All participants received transportation fees, and entry was free.

Reflections from Participants

Feedback from the finalists revealed their experiences:

- "I was astonished and apprehensive to be selected as a finalist. Preparing for this contest enhanced my English and expression skills, and I found inspiration from other participants. I am thankful I applied!"
- "I have participated in other speech contests, but this one was exceptional in quality and inspiration. It was tough to balance realism with a presentation that would resonate with the judges."
- "I was immensely inspired by my peers' speeches. Not only was their ability to engage the audience remarkable, but their passion for specific themes was commendable, making networking with peers focusing on social issues a precious opportunity."

Parental Feedback

Parents expressed their pride and gratitude towards the event:

- "Seeing my daughter embrace new challenges makes me feel her growth, and I appreciate the valuable opportunity she was given."
- "I was impressed by the creativity and initiative displayed by the students. Each participant felt passionately about their messages, reinforcing the power of youth in shaping the future."

Next Event

The next SIESC event is scheduled for April 29, 2026. Further details on entries and themes will be announced on the official SIESC website and social media platforms. Middle and high school students who wish to express social messages are encouraged to participate.

For registration, visit: SIESC Official Site

About SIESC

The Social Impact English Speech Contest (SIESC) is a non-profit educational organization that provides a platform for middle and high school students to express their opinions and proposals about social issues in English. SIESC supports not just the enhancement of language skills but also self-analysis, social exploration, advocacy, and action—all aimed at nurturing the next generation of change-makers.

For inquiries: