By Harry Leach
A Birmingham student says she was “shocked” after winning 拢1,000 in prize money after coming out on top in a national public speaking competition. Cassidy Chapman, 17, was named the winner of this year’s Gresham Competition – organised by London’s Gresham College. The prestigious competition, now in its third year, promotes oracy skills and the importance of effective public speaking among young learners. READ MORE: Shock pictures show bullet holes in glass where woman seriously hurt in shooting Cassidy, a student at B ishop Challoner Catholic College in Kings Heath , was one of 12 finalists chosen from across the country. The teenager won after delivering a public speech on why modern foreign languages should be compulsory at school. She said: “I鈥檓 really shocked but it鈥檚 so great to win because I鈥檝e put so much work into it. Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here “I didn鈥檛 expect to win at all because there were so many really talented people and they鈥檙e all talking about such complex topics, all of which had so much research go into them.” Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp Cassidy added: “When you speak to the other contestants, they鈥檙e also passionate and eloquent and amazing. “I don’t think anyone would have thought they’d win in that room of people.鈥 Cassidy also won 拢500 for her college. The competition, held on Wednesday, July 2, saw the 12 finalists deliver their prepared answers to a panel and an audience of peers in London.