St Kevin’s College student wins national Plain English Speaking Awards

A Leader story published online about the openly gay St Kevin’s College student’s speech at the state finals attracted more than one thousand Facebook likes as well as messages of support.

Gay pupil tackles �hyper masculine’ culture

Social media user Ava called the Year 12 student a “brave soul” for speaking out about the locker room culture existing at some boys’ schools, sporting fields and workplaces, while Anita wrote “more power to you” and tagged her friends.

Speaking to the Leader after winning the state finals last month, Mr Macaronas said his aim was to put masculine stereotypes in the spotlight and empower people to feel comfortable and safe to be themselves.

“I’m a gay kid in a private school that is an elite boys school. St Kevin’s has been really good ... (but) it’s a hyper-masculine culture and that’s what I explore in my speech,” Mr Macaronas said.

“There are moments when not fitting into that mould might be harder for some.”

And as for having the confidence to tackle such a big issue in front of judges and his peers, Mr Macaronas said it would be a “tragedy” if people didn’t speak up and voice their ideas because they were afraid of public speaking.

The 18-year-old’s speech, a transcript of which can be read on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website, tackled what he called the “hyper masculine” culture that encouraged boys to hide their emotions and not cry. He said it lead to mental illness and domestic violence in adulthood.

Mr Macaronas will travel to London next year to compete at the English Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition held in May, where speakers from up to 50 countries will compete to be named the best young English speaker in the world.

Mr Macaronas was awarded $5000 from BBM Youth Support to help pay for his trip.

Tandee Wang of Sydney Technical High was the runner up at this year’s national PESA awards.