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Sudbury girl needs your votes to win speech competition

R.L. Beattie student Daniela Grottoli one of 84 finalists

When nine-year-old Daniela Grottoli heard about the Eye Level Oratacular speech competition, she knew right away she wanted to enter.

Run by the complementary learning service Eye Level Canada, the speech competition was open to students in grades 1-8 across Canada and the U.S. More than 1,800 students entered the competition.

“As soon as I heard about the speech competition, I was like 'Oh yeah, this is totally me, because I love talking, I love explaining things,'” the Grade 4 student at R.L. Beattie Public School said.

Grottoli, who uses the Eye Level service here in Sudbury to do extended math work, is one of 84 finalists in the competition, but she needs your help to have a chance to win.

That's because 25 per cent of the judging is based on likes and shares of the YouTube videos featuring the competitors' speeches. The deadline to vote is April 30.

“Sudbury is a very big population, and our goal is 1,000 votes,” said Daniela, whose video is currently at 373 votes. “I think we can get to that.”

The theme for the speeches was something that the students couldn't live without, and Daniela picked something very close to home — her family.

If you watch the speech, you'll learn why the Grottoli family goes through 10 rolls of toilet paper a week and why Daniela's dad needs to buy new pajamas.

“I chose that topic because, well, I just really couldn't live without them,” she said.

Daniela's mom, Kathy Svalina-Grottoli, said she was very proud when she learned her daughter's speech topic.

“I'm very grateful she realizes how much goes into a family, and we're also very proud of her and grateful for her,” she said.

The first prize winner for the speech competition receives $150 US, while the second and third prize winners receive $100 and $50, respectively. 

Daniela, who plays hockey with the Sudbury Lady Wolves, said if she wins any money, she'll donate it to the Humboldt Broncos in memory of Parker Tobin. “He wore No. 30 just like I do,” she said.

Click here to view Daniela's speech and register your vote.


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