ItaCham extends its heartfelt congratulations to our Membership Officer, Ms. Ung Khemara Bormeychan, for having being named Champion of the JCI Cambodia Public Speaking & Debating Championship 2025.
We have no doubt that Bormey will represent Cambodia with excellence, passion, and distinction at the regional round in Mongolia. We have also decided to take the time to talk with her, and ask her to share more about her journey.
ItaCham: First of all, congratulations for your success Bormey. You know, we are curious. Could you tell us more about your journey, in this competition?
Bormey: Public speaking has always piqued my attention since I was in high school, but I was too afraid to take the stage; nevertheless, in 2019, I decided to give it a shot and discovered that it was a fear, but one that I could overcome. Public speaking has always been more than a skill for me; it is a platform for inspiring and challenging perspectives and sparking significant conversations. My experience with the JCI Public Speaking Championship 2025 was nothing short of amazing. From the first round to the final, each moment tested resilience, adaptation, and storytelling, especially showcasing who I am on the stage.
I’ve had a few attempts with JCI, so deciding to rejoin this year takes a lot of courage for me to do so and learn from my previous experiences. JCI’s public speaking competitions are known for having high standards, and I competed against some of Cambodia’s most eloquent and skilled public speakers. However, I decided to rejoin because I saw it as an opportunity to develop my skills and demonstrate what I had learnt over the previous few years.
ItaCham: And how did you prepare for it this time?
Bormey: Preparation was tough because each contender was assigned three to five topics based on each round, and we had to prepare for each issue because we would only know our topic on the day of the competition. I spent hours preparing my speech structure, honing my themes, and learning how to perform on such a grand stage in front of judges and audiences. Beyond technique, I focused on authenticity, making sure that every word I uttered was delivered with conviction and purpose, attempting to demonstrate who I am throughout my speech.
To me, the final round was the most intense as there were the last three candidates, and I was the first to go up and deliver my speech, but after my speech, I was beyond grateful that I could show my uniqueness and who I am throughout my final speech. That was when I started not to care much about the result because regardless of the result, I have showcased what people could at least remember me from my speech. Standing in front of the judges and audience, I channeled all my preparation into that moment. When my name was announced as the champion, it was a surreal and deeply fulfilling moment.
ItaCham: What are your feelings about next round in Mongolia?
Bormey: Winning the JCI Public Speaking Championship 2025 has given me even higher motivation to keep doing my best for the next round in Mongolia, representing Cambodia. Along the competition journey, being a JCI Public Speaking Champion 2025 has taught me that “You are the Main Actor” on stage; showing everything you have because that is the only way to create a positive impression. Regardless of the outcome, standing on that stage in front of people we didn’t know was already incredible. All aspiring public speakers should believe in whatever you deliver, learn from other speakers, and never underestimate yourself.
