Cadden-Williams Prize

The Cadden-Williams Prize Reading Competition is a tradition that is almost as old as the Academy. Officially established in 1922, it is a combination of several awards. The first Newton Perkins Prize Speaking Contest was held on July 17, 1858. According to a quote from the Norwich Bulletin on May 4, 1971, this is the "oldest continuous competitive activity in the history of Norwich Free Academy." The Williams Prize for Reading was established in 1869 with a fund by Harriet Peck Williams who was the donor of the Peck Library and the same family that donated the land upon which the Academy was built.

This competition is how Norwich Free Academy chooses graduation speakers each year. Any student can enter. The student who finishes in first place is named the Ivy Orator for their class. Because he placed first in the 2024 competition, Clark Dziavit is the Ivy Orator for the Class of 2026.

In this year’s Cadden-Williams Prize Competition:
• The highest-ranking senior will be named the Class Speaker
• A student from the Class of 2027, 2028, or 2029 that wins first place will earn the chance to be Ivy Orator at their graduation, if they remain in good standing.
• Cash prizes will be awarded to students who place first, second, and third at this year’s Class Night & Academic Award Ceremony on Tuesday, June 9.

Participation Requirements
Timeline, Tips, and Additional Information

Participation Requirements

The competition is open to all students and consists of candidates speaking their selections before three judges drawn from the community.

Each student must choose a speech to read at the competition from the list below:
1. Michelle Obama - Commencement Speech Class of 2020
2. John F. Kennedy - Inaugural Address
3. Denzel Washington - Fall Forward
4. Amanda Gorman - The Hill We Climb
5. Thomas Sabatino '76 - Graduation Speech by Class Speaker

Registration for the 2026 competition is closed.

Timeline, Tips, and Additional Information

Registration for the 2026 competition opens on Sunday, February 15 and is open through March 2 at 3:00 p.m.
The competition will held Monday, March 16, 6 pm, Slater Auditorium.
All participants will receive an email by noon on March 18 with contest results.

Helpful Tips:

To enter you must choose a selection to be read in the competition. You are not required to memorize the selection; however, you should be familiar enough with it so that making eye contact with the audience will not be a problem. Very often, some of the better readings are partially or wholly committed to memory. You will be reading your selection at a podium in front of an audience and judges.

Criteria for judging include: vocal skills, gestures and eye contact, poise, enthusiasm, effective phrasing, and ability to convey the author's feelings.

Preparation Tips:
1). Dress appropriately.
2). Remember…this is a competition. You are “selling” your piece to the judges.
3). Become involved, show expression, even passion if called for, and don’t be afraid to use your face and your hands for gestures.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Danieluk in the School Counseling Department at danielukm@nfaschool.org

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Cadden-Williams Prize

Participation Requirements

Timeline, Tips, and Additional Information