A Dulwich schoolboy is storming his way through a public speaking competition known as a springboard for acting and business careers.
Fifteen-year-old Sebastian Westgate-Louttit was crowned winner of the Regional Final of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge, at Harris Academy Bermondsey, on Wednesday, February 7.
Previous winners of the Grand Final have gone on to sell their businesses for six figures and act in Hollywood movies like Avatar.
Sebastian, a Year 10 Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich student, said: “Tonight has been brilliant! I never expected to win, it’s taught me that as long as you play your cards right, you can do it.”
Titilayo Taoreed, from Notre Dame Roman Catholic Girls’ School, was runner-up with a compelling speech titled ‘The Age of Distraction’.
Third Place went to Sylvie Harmony from The Charter School East Dulwich, with a speech about neurodiversity.
Sebastian will now have to impress the judges at the online semi-finals to proceed to the Grand Final at the West End this summer.
Over 30,000 Year 10 students in over 500 state schools in London and Essex take part in the annual competition.
Previous winners include actors Jamie Flatters and Idris Sobande, influential figure in medicine Dr. Funmi Abari, entrepreneur Tim Armoo and writer Poppy Noor, and more.
A £100 gift certificate is the prize on offer at the final, held at the Cambridge Theatre, Covent Garden on July 8, 2024.
The competition is hosted by the UK’s leading public speaking and communication charity, Speakers Trust and funded and supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation.