GPUTC student triumph at ARU Speak Out Challenge Final 2026

Greater Peterborough UTC is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of student Breanna Mugarisanwa, who was crowned winner at the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Speak Out Challenge Final 2026, held on 16 June at Peterborough’s ARU Building on Bishops Road.

The prestigious event, delivered in partnership with The Speakers Trust, brought together talented students from across the city to demonstrate the art of public speaking under highly demanding conditions: delivering a three‑minute speech without notes to an audience of more than 100 people. The evening showcased exceptional standards of oracy, confidence and critical thinking across all participants.

Breanna’s winning speech, “Black Representation in Disney”, was commended for its intellectual depth, clarity of argument and social relevance. In a thoughtful and balanced critique, she explored the historical underrepresentation of Black characters in Disney films, the limitations of stereotypical portrayals, and the importance of authentic, complex narratives. She also acknowledged recent progress in representation, while challenging audiences to consider whether such developments fully meet the needs of diverse young viewers.

At its core, the speech demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between media representation and identity formation. Breanna powerfully articulated how inclusive storytelling can influence young people’s sense of belonging, aspiration and self‑esteem, concluding with a compelling call for continued progress and accountability within the media industry.

Her performance exemplified the value of structured opportunities and enrichment delivered by GPUTC to develop key transferable skills, including effective communication and public speaking, critical thinking and analytical reasoning, confidence and resilience under pressure, self‑management and preparation, and wider cultural awareness alongside ethical understanding—forming a strong foundation for future workplace readiness 

A spokesperson from Greater Peterborough UTC said: “Breanna’s achievement reflects not only her individual talent and determination, but also the strength of student voice within our community. Her courage to tackle such an important and complex topic demonstrates the transformative potential of opportunities like the Speak Out Challenge. We are immensely proud of the way she represented the UTC.”

Councillor and Mayor of Peterborough Chris Harper, who attended the event in his capacity as Mayor and presented the awards, highlighted in his social media post the exceptional calibre of all participants:

“I was absolutely blown away by the high standard of public speaking from students across our city. To speak for three minutes without notes in front of such an audience is no easy task. Every participant should feel incredibly proud—they were all winners.”

The Mayor also expressed his sincere thanks to ARU and The Speakers Trust for hosting the event and providing young people with a platform to develop and showcase their voices.

Breanna’s success is a testament to the value of sustained engagement in enrichment activities that build oracy, confidence and critical thinking—skills that are increasingly recognised as essential for future education, employment and active citizenship.