Students from across Samoa showcased their public speaking talents during the second day of the World Press Freedom Day school competition, with Saint Mary’s College taking first place, followed by Avele College in second and Robert Louis Stevenson School in third.

Representing Saint Mary’s College, 17-year-old Desireeah Petelo earned first place after delivering her speech and later reflected on the achievement with gratitude and humility.

“Honestly, it is very empowering to know that I have this voice to speak out about these things and be able to come in first place,” she said.

“But it is also very humbling to know that it did not take only me to get here. It took a lot of feedback from teachers, parents, and friends, who gave their feedback, and it built me up.”

Desireeah said the victory was not hers alone, but one shared with the people who supported and encouraged her throughout the competition.

“So I know that it's very humbling to get this because this is not just me then, it's for everyone,” she said.

“It means that it is not just me, it is other people who gave their feedback and everything.”

She also acknowledged the importance of having a strong support system behind her.

“It's very overwhelming in a good sense because everyone needs their own support system,” Desireeah said.

“And the support system for me, the girls and their support helped a lot. Everyone just being there for me, smiling, encouraging, no matter what, very helpful.”

Although open to journalism in the future, Desireeah said it is not currently part of her main academic goals.

“I am open to it; however, it is not my main course of study and goals,” she said.

Avele College student Hailey Silia Afele, 16, secured second place and said she was grateful for the support she received from family, teachers and fellow students.

“Honestly, I mean, of course, I'm happy, and I'm grateful,” Hailey said.

“First, I'm grateful for my parents, my mom, my dad in Fiji, and my teachers and my college students, that they were supporting me.”

Hailey said the most important part of the competition for her was sharing her message with the audience.

“It doesn't matter, but the only thing that mattered to me today is the message that I shared with everyone today,” she said.

“And yeah, I felt great. It felt great.”

“Actually, I'm a science student, and from my research about the topics that I was talking about, and not speech, it is great, and it's very hard, and it's dangerous,” she said.

While she expressed interest in journalism, Hailey said it is not her main ambition.

“But yeah, I do want to be a journalist, but I have my own dream, like the dream that I've been dreaming of,” she said.

“So yeah, it would be nice to be a journalist, but it's not my dream, so it's not really my aim.”