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Celebrating & Empowering
The Voices of Tomorrow
The Verbal Vortex Competitions are guided by a vision of engaging, inspiring, and amplifying the voices of the next generation of great orators. Guided by TEDx Coach Taruna Ramani’s vision and anchored by a team of professional speaking coaches, hosts, corporate executives, and more, Verbal Vortex aims to provide a transformative educational experience beyond just winning awards.
Who We Are
EDUCATION
Verbal Vortex is about more than just competing, it’s about learning and appreciating skills that can be used throughout life – from the living room to the board room. To that extent, all of the judges and mentors we enlist are highly trained and experienced experts from the worlds of politics, business, education, events, entertainment and more.
INCLUSIVITY
Verbal Vortex is the only youth public speaking competition open to all youth from Kindergarten through Grade 12 to showcase their skills in Poetry Recitation, Impromptu Public Speaking, and Prepared Speeches. In 2025, we are also introducing a special mentored ConfidenceBuilders division specifically for special education, and learning and language disabled youth.
EXPERIENCE
Verbal Vortex competitions are rooted deeper than just awards and bragging rights. Each competition is designed to be a transformational experience for the youth who participate – emboldening them with confidence, inspiring their creativity, and outfitting them with a mastery of presenting and public speaking that they’ll be able to rely on for the rest of their lives.
Register For The 2025 Verbal Vortex Edison
April 26-27, 2025 • YMCA Edison/Oak Tree Road
Register For The 2025 Verbal Vortex Princeton
May 3-4, 2025 • Grover Middle School, West Windsor
Multiple ways to shine
Event Categories
* Grades K-2 and 3-5 May Only Choose One Area To Compete In. Grades 6-8 and 9-12 May Compete in Both Areas.
Poem Recitation*
(1 minute, 45-second time limit)
Prepared Speech*
(1 minute, 45-second limit):
– If I Had a Magic Paintbrush
– The Day the Moon Forgot to Shine
– When the Jungle Animals Had a Talent Show
– Once Upon a Time, a Mysterious Key Opened Every Door
Poem Recitation*
(1 minute, 45-second time limit)
Prepared Speech*
(1 minute, 45-second limit):
– How I Accidentally Became the Host of a Live TV Show
– Caught in a Snowstorm Inside a Shopping Mall
– If I Could Swap Places with a Character from a Book:
– The Most Important Invention the World Still Needs
Impromptu Public Speaking
(2-minute time limit)
– 10-minute preparation time
– Topic will be given at the event
Prepared Speech*
(2-minute time limit):
– Is It Better to Be the Smartest Person in the Room or the Most Hardworking?
– What Makes a Hero: Actions, Intentions, or People They Save?
– Time Travel Gone Wrong: I Accidentally Changed History
– Electric Cars: Are They Really Better for the Environment?
Impromptu Public Speaking
(2-minute time limit)
– 10-minute preparation time
– Topic will be given at the event
Prepared Speech*
(2-minute time limit):
– Data Privacy in the Digital Age: How Much Personal Information Should We Sacrifice for Convenience?
– Climate Engineering: A Necessary Solution or A Dangerous Gamble?
– What if Time Travel Was Real: Should We Use It to Change the Past or Explore the Future?
– If You Could Eliminate One Law from History, Which Would It Be and What Would the Consequences Be?
NEW FOR 2025!
A New Mentored Event Category For Special Education, Learning and Language Disabled Youth Focusing on Building Confidence, Presence, and Self Esteem.
FAQs
Answers to some of the frequently asked questions about The 2024 Verbal Vortex Competitions.
How Can I Register My Child To Compete?
You can register by scrolling up to the Register For Edison or Register For Princeton buttons on this page, or click Register Now in the menu bar. The Registration Fee is $25 per child.
Is There A Dress Code?
While there is no official dress code, all participating students should dress to impress. Usage of props and costumes is also encouraged.
Can My Child Compete In All Events For Their Grade Level?
Children in The K-2 Grade Level and 3-5 Grade Level May Only Choose ONE Event To Compete in. Children in The 6-8 Grade Level and 9-12 Grade Level May Choose To Compete in One or Both Events.
Do We Need To Prepare A Speech Ahead of Time?
With the exception of the Impromptu Speaking events, all participants should prepare a poem or choose from the list of topics and prepare their speech ahead of time. Those participating in the Impromptu Speaking events will be given the topic at the event.
Is Photography and/or Video of The Competition Allowed?
While photo and video taking is allowed during the competition, we do kindly ask that you refrain from using flashes as they may distract students on stage, as well as judges.
Be a business champion of tomorrow
Bring Thousands of Tri-State Area Families Direct To Your Brand
Participants
The 2025 Verbal Vortex Competitions Are Expected to Have Over 500+ Participants From The Tri-State Area.
Invited School Districts
We Invite Over 25 Of The Best and Largest School Districts In The Tri-State Area, Giving You A Reach of Thousands of Families.
%
Bachelors Degree or Higher
The Areas We Market To Have A Median Income of over $127,000, With Over 80% of Residents Having a Bachelors Degree or Higher.
