Staff Chula Vista Today
More than 100 students from fourth, fifth, sixth grade and middle school competed in the 2025-26 Speech Contest hosted by the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD), addressing the prompt: “What Makes a Strong Community?”
Twenty-two students advanced to the district finals after the semifinal round. All finalists received monetary awards sponsored by the Eastlake Educational Foundation, the Chula Vista Noon Rotary and the Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary.
“We are deeply grateful to our community partners for investing in our students and helping them find their voice,” the district said in a statement. First-place winners from each grade level will present their speeches at upcoming meetings of the Board of Education, the Chula Vista City Council and community gatherings hosted by the Chula Vista Noon Rotary.
Over the course of four days, volunteer judges representing the San Diego County Office of Education, Sweetwater Union High School District, the City of Chula Vista, Sharp Chula Vista, Republic Services, Gallaghers, the U.S. House of Representatives, NBC 7, ABC 10 San Diego, McGraw Hill, the Chula Vista Police Department, South Bay and Border View Family YMCA and North Island Credit Union evaluated the students’ performances.
“The talent and preparation demonstrated by our students were exceptional,” the district stated. “Their ability to analyze and articulate ideas about community strength reflects the leadership and civic engagement of our youth.”
District officials extended their appreciation to sponsors and volunteer judges for supporting student achievement and public speaking skills across the community.