SpeechMaze
1st place
Maxon
Canada
Trash Talk
We don't need more garbage bins to solve a problem. It starts with us.
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FinalistShravya, United States
FinalistChristine, United States
FinalistEissa, UAETop fifth of Round 1 speeches vs the rest, out of 10
Meet the winnersA short film of past champions
2026 results
Announced live at the final on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Ages 5 to 9
If I Could Solve One Problem in the WorldJoint 2nd place
Ava Canada
One More Seat at the Table
It can begin by making room for one more person at the table.
Joint 2nd place
Shriya United States
A World Without Hunger
The first step to solving a problem is noticing it.
Ages 10 to 14
The Skill That School Doesn't Teach but Everyone Needs
1st place
Shravya
United States
The Power of Emotional Intelligence
Six seconds can change your life. Emotional intelligence makes sure it's changed for the better.
2nd place
Ashwini Canada
The Most Important Things in Life Aren't Always What They Seem
What makes failure valuable is what follows it.
3rd place
Eissa UAE
The Skill That School Doesn't Teach but Everyone Needs
The world doesn't need everyone to be the same. It needs everyone to understand each other.
Grand Finalists
Ages 5 to 9
Christine United States
Every Child Deserves to See
One child, one pair of eyes, one opportunity.
Ages 5 to 9
Julia Philippines
One Step at a Time
I may be young and alone. But there's nothing wrong with trying.
Ages 10 to 14
Cadence Canada
Courage and Bravery 101
Without having the courage to fail, you won't even attempt.
Ages 10 to 14
Mahika India
The Skill That School Doesn't Teach but Everyone Needs
We do not need to win every argument. Sometimes, we just need to understand each other.
Regional Champions
The highest Round 1 score in each region.
Canada
- Maxon5–9
- Cadence10–14
United States
- Christine5–9
- Shravya10–14
Latin America
- MatiasMexico5–9
South Asia
- GurmehrIndia5–9
- NarunSri Lanka10–14
East and Southeast Asia
- Yu XiTaiwan5–9
- SakuraJapan10–14
Middle East and North Africa
- MayssamAlgeria5–9
- PragunUAE10–14
Sub-Saharan Africa
- AnabelNigeria5–9
- NateyaSouth Africa10–14
Europe and Oceania
- LuojiaGermany10–14
Countries students entered from (33)Regional Champion
Special awards
Based on scores from the Round 1 recorded video speeches. Any Round 1 speech could win one, finalist or not.
Ages 5 to 9
Ages 10 to 14
Where the top speeches pulled ahead
FinalistShravya, United StatesThey took their time
Pacing was the biggest gap. Top speakers slowed down and paused before and after their most important line.
FinalistChristine, United StatesThey stood tall and steady
Steady posture, eyes on the camera, and one breath before the first word.
FinalistEissa, UAETheir voice and face helped
Their tone rose and fell, and their expression matched what they were saying.
“I loved the strategic pauses every single finalist was using. They had me waiting for what they’re about to say next.”Ghalia Aamer, host of the final
- Pacing and Timing+1.5
- Confidence and Poise+1.4
- Expressiveness+1.2
- Creativity and Originality+0.8
- Relevance to Topic+0.7
Most speeches already had a relevant, original idea. The biggest differences were in delivery.
Room Honors
The finalists spoke in seven rooms, three judges to a room. These speakers stood out in theirs.
Ages 5-9 · Room A
KabirIndia
KiaanIndia
Ages 5-9 · Room B
Yu XiTaiwan
GurmehrIndia
Ages 10-14 · Room C
AhnafBangladesh
NateyaSouth Africa
Ages 10-14 · Room D
ZahraIndia
AngelinaChina
RheaUnited States
Ages 10-14 · Room E
PragunUAE
MakaitaZimbabwe
Ages 10-14 · Room F
KarthikCanada
JaymilizUnited States
Ages 10-14 · Room G
AryahiIndia
VanyaCanada
Champions before 2026
From TalkMaze speaking competitions before SpeechMaze.
- Valentina P.Champion · Ages 5-8
- Emaan K.Champion · Ages 9-12
- Alexander H.Champion · Ages 12-17
SpeechMaze 2027
Free for students ages 5-14. The 2027 topics and dates go to the waitlist first.