SpeechMaze 2026 · Round 1 results
Meet the 54 finalists
Chosen by our judging panel from students ages 5 to 14. This year's finalists come from 20 countries. Congratulations to every student who recorded a speech and sent it in.
Live final: Saturday, November 7Finalists compete from 1 PM ET · Public Championship Round at 2 PM ET
Every family receives their child's judges' report and certificate by email on Monday, October 19.
54
finalists
20
countries
5 to 14
years old
Nov 7
live final
The finalists
Competing live on November 7
Listed alphabetically. At 1 PM ET, finalists speak live in small groups, each in front of a panel of three judges. The top speakers advance to the Championship Round at 2 PM ET, which anyone can watch free.
Ages 5 to 9 · 15 finalists
Ava
Canada
Avika
India
Christine
United States
Gealucitta
Indonesia
Gurmehr
India
Julia
Philippines
Kabir
India
Kenan
United States
Kiaan
India
Matias
Mexico
Maxon
Canada
Mayssam
Algeria
Pramit
United States
Shriya
United States
Yu Xi
Taiwan
Ages 10 to 14 · 39 finalists
Aahana
India
Ahnaf
Bangladesh
Angelina
China
Aryahi
India
Ashwini
Canada
Cadence
Canada
Daksha
India
Eissa
UAE
Emaan
Canada
Eshwari
India
Ihan
UAE
Jaymiliz
United States
Kaeto
Canada
Karthik
Canada
Krish
Canada
Lucas
Canada
Luojia
Germany
Mahika
India
Makaita
Zimbabwe
Mannat
India
Narun
Sri Lanka
Nateya
South Africa
Olivia
New Zealand
Pragun
UAE
Rhea
United States
Rose
Canada
Sakura
Japan
Samaira
UAE
Sanskriti
India
Shahana
UAE
Shravya
United States
Tram Anh
Vietnam
Urooj
Pakistan
Valentina
United States
Vanya
Canada
Viraaj
India
Youran
Australia
Zahra
India
Zakariya
India
More awards, announced live
Special awards, including Most Creative, Most Confident and Best Pacing, go to standout speeches from across Round 1, finalist or not. Regional Champions are named for the top speaker from each part of the world. All of them are announced live at the final on November 7.
The rubric
What the judges scored
Ten criteria, each scored from 1 to 10. Judges also wrote a strength and a next step for every speech, and those go back to each family.
- 1
Relevance to Topic
The speech is directly related to the given topic and demonstrates a clear understanding of the subject.
- 2
Organization
The speech has a clear structure with an engaging introduction, well-developed body, and a strong conclusion.
- 3
Creativity and Originality
The speech presents ideas in a unique and interesting way, showing original thought and perspective.
- 4
Clarity and Articulation
The speaker enunciates clearly, uses appropriate volume, and ensures their words are easily understood.
- 5
Confidence and Poise
The speaker appears confident, maintains good posture, and engages with the audience through eye contact and body language.
- 6
Pacing and Timing
The speech is delivered at an appropriate pace, neither too fast nor too slow, and adheres to the 5-minute time limit.
- 7
Expressiveness
The speaker uses varied intonation and facial expressions to enhance the message and keep the audience engaged.
- 8
Audience Engagement
The speaker effectively engages the audience, keeping their attention throughout the speech.
- 9
Memorability
The speech leaves a lasting impression on the audience, with a memorable message or call to action.
- 10
Overall Effectiveness
The speech as a whole is effective, combining content, delivery, and engagement to deliver a powerful and coherent message.
Fairness
How we kept judging fair
Three judges on every speech
No speech was decided by one person. Each was scored by three judges from a panel of 19.
Judges assigned automatically
Speeches were spread evenly across the panel by the judging system. Nobody chose which speeches a judge would see.
Scored independently
Each judge saw only their own scores. No judge could see what the others gave a speech.
One rubric for every speech
The same ten criteria, each scored from 1 to 10, for a total out of 100.
Adjusted for strict and generous judges
Some judges score higher than others. Each score was compared with that judge's own other scores, so no student gained or lost from which judges they drew.
Ranked within each age group
Students ages 5 to 9 were only compared with each other, and the same for ages 10 to 14.
Every video checked
Each link was tested before judging. Families whose video would not play were contacted and given time to send a working link.
One entry per student
Where a student entered more than once, only their most recent entry was judged.
Cut-offs at clear gaps
The finalist line in each age group was drawn where the scores showed a clear break, so no student missed out by a fraction of a point.
Results are final
Public speaking is judged by people, and two careful judges can hear the same speech differently. That is why every speech had three judges and why scores were adjusted for how strictly each judge scored.
Judging decisions are final. Speeches are not re-scored, individual scores and rankings are not published, and appeals are not accepted.
If your child was not chosen this year, their speech still counted: every eligible entry was watched by three judges, and each family receives the judges' written strengths and next steps.
Help us improve SpeechMaze
We read every suggestion and use them to plan next year's competition. Email hello@talkmaze.com with “SpeechMaze feedback” in the subject.
Compete in SpeechMaze 2027
Next year's finalists could include your child. Join the waitlist and we'll email you the topics and dates as soon as registration opens. Free to enter, ages 5 to 14.
Watch the final, Saturday, November 7
The Championship Round starts at 2 PM ET. Free and online.
Register freeFollow @speechmaze and @talkmaze on Instagram for competition updates, finalist highlights and the live final.