Damani Christie Makes History At Voices Of Youth Speech Contest

Fifteen-year-old Damani Christie, a student of Christ Church Foundation School, has emerged as the winner of the Voices of Youth Speech Contest 2026, hosted by the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) in observance of Drug Awareness Month.

Mr. Christie’s win is a milestone, as he became the first male winner of the competition, now in its third year.

The national finals were held at the Prince Cave Hall, District A Police Station, and featured 10 students from eight secondary schools across Barbados, each delivering compelling speeches focused on substance use, drug awareness, and the impact of drugs on individuals, families and communities.

Finalists were given up to six minutes to present their speeches before a captive audience of parents, peers, educators and supporters. Christie stood out for his confident delivery and strong command of his material. Although he had notes prepared, he never referred to them, delivering his speech from memory.

Second place was awarded to Hope Hinkson of Harrison College, while third place went to Hayley Corbin, a student of the Daryll Jordan Secondary School.

Chief Judge and Toastmaster, Beverly Parris, praised the excellent quality of the contest, highlighting the strength of the content, effective use of the stage, and the clarity and impact of the language used by the contestants. 

She also noted that the students demonstrated a strong understanding of their subject matter, having researched their speeches and played an active role in developing their presentations, which gave the judging panel confidence in the authenticity of what was delivered.

Ms. Parris described the contest as excellent and shared constructive feedback with the contestants and those in attendance on ways speakers could continue to strengthen their presentation skills.

Mr. Christie, who admitted to feeling nervous ahead of his presentation, said he was excited to participate in a competition that allowed young people to have a voice on an issue of national importance and to contribute meaningfully to national dialogue.

Voices of Youth Speech Contest is a flagship initiative of the NCSA aimed at empowering young people to speak confidently and responsibly about substance use while encouraging critical thinking and positive decision-making. 

The National Council on Substance Abuse congratulates Damani Christie, Hope Hinkson and Haley Corbin, along with all finalists, for their insight, preparation and commitment to using their voices for positive change. (PR/GIS)