Wednesday, (03/19/2025) — As usual, the English literacy activity held every Wednesday at SMP N 1 Negara took place with great enthusiasm. However, this time, there was something a little different that added to the significance of the event. What is typically a session where representatives from each class demonstrate their literacy skills was this time enhanced by the speeches of two talented students who had recently achieved remarkable success in a Speech Contest. The two students, Kania from class 8C and Kendran from class 7A, were invited to deliver their speeches as part of the literacy activity at the school.
Kania, representing class 8C, delivered a speech titled “Our Island, Our Legacy: A Teenager’s Call to Cultural Action.” In her speech, Kania captivated the audience with her passionate and confident delivery. She emphasized the importance of the younger generation’s role in preserving and promoting local culture, as well as how Bali, her home island, holds a rich cultural heritage that must be protected from disappearing over time. Kania also urged her peers to take a more active role in safeguarding the cultural traditions handed down by their ancestors. Through her speech, Kania hoped to raise awareness among the youth about the significance of local culture and inspire them to take action.
Meanwhile, Kendran from class 7A presented a speech titled “Bali’s Guardians: The Youth’s Role in Cultural Preservation.” Kendran, who also demonstrated exceptional public speaking skills, addressed a similar theme but from a slightly different perspective. In his speech, Kendran encouraged the audience to understand that the younger generation plays a vital role as the main guardians of Balinese culture. He stressed that, in addition to preserving the island’s natural beauty, it is also essential for the youth to protect Bali’s customs and traditions. Kendran urged his fellow students to be more concerned about their cultural heritage and to resist the influence of foreign cultures that could threaten the preservation of local traditions.
Both speeches not only inspired the students present but also reminded them of the critical role the younger generation plays in maintaining and preserving their regional culture. The weekly literacy activity offers students the opportunity to further develop their English language skills while also sharpening their sense of responsibility toward cultural preservation. This event served not only as a competition but also as an important moment to raise collective awareness about the significance of protecting cultural heritage.
