Annual Speech Contest - 2025-26
Speech Contest Winners
This year's theme: What makes a strong community?
Each year, the Chula Vista Elementary School District’s (CVESD) Speech Contest provides students with an opportunity to develop their public speaking skills, build confidence, and explore thought-provoking topics. Many participants have shared how this experience has helped them feel more comfortable speaking in front of others, a skill they will carry for years to come. Whether stepping onto the stage for the first time or taking their skills to the next level, students gain a platform to express their perspectives and grow as communicators and leaders.
Semifinals
- 4th Grade: February 23, 2026
- 5th Grade: February 24, 2026
- 6th Grade & Middle School: February 25, 2026
Finals
- All Grades: February 26, 2026
February 23 | 4th Grade | Morning Session
4th Grade Semi-Finalists - Morning Session
4th Grade Finalist - Miles Han Vuong - Discovery Charter
4th Grade Finalist - Lacey Ann MacPherson - Halecrest Elementary
4th Grade Finalist - Zeejay Angel Fierro - Harborside Elementary
4th Grade Speech Contest - Finalists - Morning Session
Lacey Ann MacPherson, Halecrest Elementary
Zeejay Angel Fierro, Harborside Elementary
Miles Han Vuong, Discovery Charter
4th Grade Speech Contest - Morning Judges
Alessandra Angelone, Communications Strategist, San Diego County Office of Education
Michael St. Clair, Sergeant - School Resource Unit, Chula Vista Police Department
Omar Calleros, Chula Vista Elementary School District - Director of Expanded Learning Programs
February 23 | 4th Grade | Afternoon Session
4th Grade Semi-Finalists - Afternoon Session
4th Grade Finalist - Cayson William Green - Tiffany Elementary
4th Grade Finalist - Ronan Sawyer Kruse - Olympic View Elementary
4th Grade Finalist - Finn Kai Nuntapreda - Liberty Elementary
4th Grade Speech Contest - Finalists - Afternoon Session
Cayson Wiliam Green, Tiffany Elementary
Finn Kai Nuntapreda, Liberty Elementary
Ronan Sawyer Kruse, Olympic View
4th Grade Speech Contest - Afternoon Judges
Wendi Messina, Interim Executive Director, Border View Family YMCA & South Bay Family YMCA
Daniel Bermudez, Special Events Coordinator, City of Chula Vista
Nadège Johnson, Director - Grants and Communications, Sweetwater Union High School District
February 24 | 5th Grade | Morning Session
5th Grade Semi-Finalists - Morning Session
5th Grade Finalist - Lauren Romero Mahoney - Salt Creek Elementary
5th Grade Finalist - Layla Aamoni Reeves - Olympic View Elementary
5th Grade Finalist - Amanda Flores - Allen Elementary
5th Grade Finalists - Morning Session
Layla Aamoni Reeves - Olympic View Elementary
Amanda Flores - Allen Elementary
Lauren Romero Mahoney - Salt Creek Elementary
5th Grade Speech Contest Morning Judges
Hilary Centeno Castro, Executive Account Manager
Marcy Weaver, CEO, Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce
Sergio Martinez, Community Relations Manager, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center
February 24 | 5th Grade | Afternoon Session
5th Grade Semi-Finalists - Afternoon Session
5th Grade Finalist - Lilian Camille Arroyo - Chula Vista Learning Community Charter
5th Grade Finalist - Ryan Samuel Swanson Jr. - Halecrest Elementary
5th Grade Finalist - Pablo Nicolas Forero - Discovery Charter School
5th Grade Finalists - Afternoon Session
Ryan Samuel Swanson Jr. - Halecrest Elementary
Pablo Nicolas Forero - Discovery Charter School
Lilian Camille Arroyo - Chula Vista Learning Community Charter (CVLCC)
5th Grade Speech Contest Afternoon Judges
Ann Barker, Customer Success Manager, McGraw Hill
Madeleine Baudoin, Director External Affairs & Public Engagement, California Schools VEBA (CalVEBA)
Miriam Martinez, Child Youth Development Department Head, Border View Family YMCA & South Bay Family YMCA
February 25 | 6th Grade | Morning Session
6th Grade Semi-Finalists - Morning Session
6th Grade Finalist - Ellora Rose Jones - Halecrest Elementary
6th Grade Finalist - Aleah Michelle Carbajal - Heritage Elementary
6th Grade Finalist - Catherine Sophia Rechif - Allen Elementary
6th Grade Speech Contest Finalists - Morning Session
Ellora Rose Joes, Halecrest Elementary
Catherine Sophia Rechif, Allen Elementary
Aleah Michelle Carbajal, Heritage Elementary
6th Grade Speech Contest Morning Judges
Kyle Millard, YMCA Camp Director, Border View Family YMCA & South Bay Family YMCA
Genevieve Fong, Outreach and Special Programs Director, U.S. House of Representatives,
Jacob Angelo, Senior Director of Information and Technology, Chula Vista Elementary School District
February 25 | 6th Grade | Afternoon Session
6th Grade Finalist - Aria Alaina Janus - Sotomayor Elementary
6th Grade Finalist - Kamilia Morsli - Wolf Canyon Elementary
6th Grade Finalist - Ily Aryanna Rodriguez - Valle Lindo Elementary
6th Grade Speech Contest Finalists - Afternoon Session
Aria Alaina Janus, Sotomayor Elementary
Ily Aryanna Rodriguez, Valle Lindo Elementary
Kamilia Morsli, Wolf Canyon Elementary
February 25 | Middle School | Afternoon Session
Middle School Speech Contest Semi-Finalists
Middle School Finalist - Isabella Martinez - Arroyo Vista Charter
Middle School Finalist - Carter Jacob Spotser - Arroyo Vista Charter
Middle School Finalist - Iris Olivia Meinung - Discovery Charter
Middle School Finalist - Kayra Lucia Mendoza Nungaray - Feaster Charter
Middle School Speech Contest Finalists
Carter Jacob Spotser, Arroyo Vista Charter School
Kayra Lucia Mendoza Nungaray, Feaster Charter School
Iris Olivia Meinung, Discovery Charter School
Isabella Martinez, Arroyo Vista Charter School
February 26 | Finals
2025-26 Speech Contest Finalists
Speech Contest Finals - Judges
Eduardo Reyes, Ed. D., Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District
Tiffany Allen, City Manager, City of Chula Vista
Melissa Mecija, Reporter, ABC 10 San Diego
6th Grade Finalist - Kamilia Morsli - Wolf Canyon Elementary
6th Grade 3rd Place Winner - Ily Aryanna Rodriguez - Valle Lindo Elementary
6th Grade 2nd Place Winner - Aria Alaina Janus - Sotomayor Elementary
6th Grade 1st Place Winner - Aleah Michelle Carbajal - Heritage Elementary
5th Grade Finalist - Amanda Flores - Allen Elementary
5th Grade Finalist - Lauren Romero Mahoney - Salt Creek Elementary
5th Grade Finalist - Ryan Samuel Swanson Jr. - Halecrest Elementary
5th Grade 3rd Place Winner - Lilian Camille Arroyo - Chula VIsta Learning Community Charter
5th Grade 2nd Place Winner - Pablo Nicolas Forero - Discovery Charter
5th Grade 1st Place Winner - Layla Aamoni Reeves - Olympic View Elementary
4th Grade Finalist - Miles Han Vuong - Discovery Charter
4th Grade Finalist - Lacey Ann MacPherson, Halecrest Elementary
4th Grade Finalist - Ronan Sawyer Kruse - Olympic View
4th Grade 3rd Place Winner - Finn Kai Nuntapreda - Liberty Elementary
4th Grade 2nd Place Winner - Cayson William Green - Tiffany Elementary
4th Grade 1st Place Winner - Zeejay Angell Fierro - Harborside Elementary
6th Grade Finalists
5th Grade Finalists
4th Grade Finalists
Middle School Finalist - Isabella Martinez - Arroyo Vista Charter
Middle School 3rd Place Winner - Kayra Lucia Mendoza Nungaray - Feaster Charter
Middle School 2nd Place Winner - Iris Olivia Meinung - Discovery Charter
Middle School 1st Place Winner - Carter Jacob Spotser - Arroyo Vista Charter
Middle School Finalists
6th Grade Finalist - Catherine Sophia Rechif - Allen Elementary
6th Grade Finalist - Ellora Rose Jones - Halecrest Elementary
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