John G. Althouse student shines on Speakers Idol stage

(Toronto.com)

“We, the students of today, are the leaders of the tomorrow.”

That point, delivered by John G. Althouse Middle School’s Anupra Chandran at this year’s Speakers Idol, was demonstrated 10 times over during the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC)-hosted annual speaking competition’s 2018 finals on March 27.

The Etobicoke eighth grader was the first among the event’s top-10 finalists to deliver her freedom-of-speech-themed presentation to a packed audience at the Toronto Centre for the Arts — a speech described by the annual event’s judging panel as “brilliant,” “inspiring,” “wise” and “wonderful.”

“Simon Wiesenthal once quoted that ‘Freedom of speech is not freedom to propagate hatred.’ I think this is absolutely true, and more people need to understand this,” Anupra argued during her speech, which ultimately earned her a third-place finish in Speakers Idol’s Grade 6 to 8 category. “Having the right to your own voice is crucial, but using this right to justify hatred is a violation ...

“From now on, we must understand this universal right, promote constructive change and challenge hatred using our voices. Trust me, your voice will continue to be your greatest asset as you go on to become a leader, so use it wisely.”

Dr. Toni Zhong — a plastic surgeon, University of Toronto professor and one of the evening’s panel of judges — commended Anupra for a speech that “set the bar very high.”

“I loved that your closing comment was to ‘use your voice wisely,’ because I think you did precisely that,” she said, following similarly glowing comments from fellow panellists Matthew Gottlieb, Michael Nasello and Leora Shemesh.

“I thought that you had such rich content to really make us think hard about (Wiesenthal’s) quote. I think you provoked us all to think, which is why we’re here tonight, so thank you.”

Anupra was one of just 10 finalists (five from the grades 6-8 category, five from grades 9-12) to be chosen to participate in the 2018 Speakers Idol finals — a prestigious field of future leaders narrowed down from more than 200 students from across Ontario who applied to compete.

Avi Benlolo, FSWC’s president and CEO, likened the leadership skills demonstrated by this year’s finalists to those of his personal hero, August Landmesser — a German shipyard worker made famous by a 1936 photo in which he is the sole person crossing his arms amid a sea of Nazi salutes.

“He refused to adhere to that hateful and intolerant ideology — and I call that leadership,” Benlolo said.

“And that is exactly what I see in each of the students here today. I see that same kind of leadership and standing out, and that’s why I believe this program and this event are so very important.” 

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