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Announcing the winners of the 38th English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition

National News

April 26th, 2021 - New York City: Adapting to the ever changing circumstances brought on by the global pandemic, ESU hosted the 38th annual National Shakespeare Competition virtually for the second time ever. 

This year's competition utilized Zoom, YouTube, text-to-vote, among other virtual technologies to bring the competition alive. The virtual platform enabled hundreds of students, schools, and spectators alike to tune in across the world. We are proud to announce the winners of the year's competition:

 

Delilah Delgado of the ESU San Diego Branch won 1st Place with her quick witted and thorough renditions of Pheobe from As Your Like It, and Sonnet 62. 

Her teacher, Samantha Howard of the Bishop's School will receive the $1000 Teacher Recognition Award, being the second such award recipient, since the award's founding last year.

 

Anna Sheehan of the ESU Boston Branch took 2nd Place. Her teacher, Barbara Whitlock of Montrose School will receive the $500 Teacher Recognition Award. 

Samuel Christian of the ESU Los Angeles Branch won 3rd place. His teacher, Elizabeth Dennehy of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts will receive the $250 Teacher Recognition Award.  

The second annual People's Choice Award was won by Spencer Morvillo of the Monmouth County Branch, student of Smita Ganatra at Glen Ridge High School received 487 votes.

Over 6,000 people voted from around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Ghana, and China, expanding the competition's community despite the pandemic.

To read more about our winners, finalists, esteemed judges, and this year's competition, please download the full press release here.

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ESU Happy Hour Series

National News

ESU_HappyHour

Wednesday, May 12 from 4:00-5:00 PM (EDT)
Red Line
Joby Warrick

Joby Warrick is a best-selling author and a national security correspondent for The Washington Post. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Joby's Happy Hour will explore his true-life thriller Red Line: a character-driven narrative with a cast of heroes and villains, including weapons hunters, politicians, doctors, diplomats, and spies. In August 2013, a horrific poison-gas attack against Syrian civilians presented the United States with an unexpected opportunity: A chance to snatch away a vast trove of highly lethal chemical weapons that was at imminent risk of being stolen by ISIS or commandeered by pro-Iran militants.  deal was cut with Russia, and the race was on to extract the weapons from depots across Syria, in the middle of a brutal civil war. Drawing on astonishing original reporting, Warrick reveals how the United States embarked on a bold adventure to prevent one catastrophe but could not avoid a tragic chain of events that empowered America's enemies. William J. D. Jordan, a lifelong Philadelphian and ESU Philadelphia Branch Treasurer and Board Member, will introduce Joby Warrick. 

 

Read More                              Register Online Here

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In Memory of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

National News

It is with deep respect and admiration that we honor the life and legacy of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth. Prince Philip served as the President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth from 1952 to 2011, during which time the English-Speaking Union of the United States had 14 Chairmen serve the joint purpose and pursuits of the organization. 

Prince Philip toasting the Queen at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, next to Lewis Douglas (Chairman of ESU from 1955-1959), and Arthur H. Dean (Chairman of ESU from 1959-1961)

Prince Philip was a dedicated leader of the organization. He is credited with founding the Public Speaking Competition, a program which hosts participants from the English-Speaking Union of the United States at the Commonwealth headquarters, Dartmouth House, each year, in what is now the largest such competition for schools in England and Wales.

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Happy International Women's Day

National News

The English-Speaking Union of the United States wishes everyone a proud and happy International Women's Day. As an organization, we recognize that women solidify and advocate for our communities both here at the English-Speaking Union, and also across the world.

We believe that the only path to true freedom is one which fosters equity for all people and specifically works to uplift those frequently sequestered to the margin. We are proud to work alongside so many women as we promote global goodwill and scholarship in English language education. 

 

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ESU Chairman's Message

National News

Dear Colleagues, Members & Friends of the English-Speaking Union,
 
Racism and xenophobia have no place in our society. We stand in solidarity with Asian and Asian-American communities across the country that have been the subject of racially-motivated attacks. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the English-Speaking Union, we reaffirm our commitment to civil dialogue, global understanding and cross-cultural exchange. The diversity of our communities strengthens and enriches us all.   
 
H.E. Dr. Paul Beresford-Hill, CBE. KSt.J.
Chairman, The English-Speaking Union of the United States
 
 

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