Christopher Skliros is capitalising on his Greek background by excelling in the art of public speaking and debating. And now he is off to South Africa next month to compete in an international competition.
The 16-year-old first took up debating when he started schooling at St Kevin’s College, and credits the debating coach Mr Gallivan for steering him and his fellow students in the right direction. In year 7 and 8, the then young student started small with interschool competitions and practice speeches. From there, his confidence rose and he tried out for the Victorian State Debating Team and was successful in being placed as reserve as they travelled around Australia. Last year, he competed in the Australian Individuals Debating and Public Speaking Championships (AIDPSC).
“Unknowingly, I was of the youngest age possible for entry – competing against people who were two and even three years older than me,” Christopher tells Neos Kosmos. From there, Christopher qualified for finals in three of four events, competing in Persuasive Speaking, Impromptu speaking and Debating and came first in the Impromptu speaking event.
“My topic for the grand final was Superstition is an interesting thing, and I spoke about my yiayia’s superstitions, like reading my coffee cup, and whether or not if really means anything,” Christopher explains who often uses his Greek heritage and culture as inspiration and content for his public speaking.
“In the end I concluded even if its not true it makes us feel better and in control about our luck and our lives and I won that category with that.”
Overall, Christopher came a convincing second out of all the national competitors losing out to someone two years his senior. Now he is off to South Africa to compete internationally, coming up at the end of March.
“Some people find public speaking terrifying… I love it because of the potential I realise words have to make us feel stronger, more confident, more passionate and most importantly – stimulate a desire for change.
“I want to be able to show people that anyone, even those most timid, I-want-to-sink-into-the-floor speakers, have the capacity and potential to command respect with the fluent expression of their unanimously intelligent ideas.”
The grandchild of two Lefkadians, who are members of the Lefkadian Cultural Association, he says that public speaking, storytelling and debating come natural to someone of Greek heritage, but it’s also the support of his tight-knit family that give him the confidence and courage to do what he loves.
“A close family means you gain confidence, there are people there to support you and everyone wishes you well and that helps you get through competitions and in the end you end up successful because a close Greek family will always be in your favour,” he explains.
Christopher, who’s father is Greek and mother is Italian, says that “if you are good at just talking – as most Greek people are – you can.”
Not shy in the slightest, Christopher mentions that the adrenalin felt before a public speech or a debate is what gets him over the line and allows him to come up with new ideas. As the third speaker in debating, it’s his responsibility to speak off the cuff, with no notes and to rebut what the other team has said. He has even joined the Melbourne University debating program and competes against university students.
“Something that really appeals to me is that words have so much power, they can make us feel, they can change the way we think, they can make us want things, they conquer fears, the whole art of public speaking is something that has endless possibilities.”