第５回中央大学附属４校英語スピーチコンテストが１月１４日、中央大学杉並高等学校で開かれた。中央大学高等学校、中央大学杉並高等学校、中央大学附属中学校・高等学校、中央大学横浜山手中学校・高等学校の４校から、それぞれ３名計１２名の高校生が発表を行った結果、横浜山手高校２年の黒川満由さんが、最も優れたものに贈られる中央大学総長賞に輝いた。

　この大会は２００７年、当時の中央大学附属高等学校の学校長であった金子雄司先生（法学部教授）の「附属３校（現在は横浜山手が参加して４校）の生徒の知的レベル向上を図る機会としてスピーチコンテストを開催したら」との提案ではじまった。この提案は中杉、中大高の校長からも積極的な支持があり、翌年２００８年に第１回が開催された。

　迎えて５回目となった今回のコンテストのテーマは、①「最近の出来事や体験から感じたこと」②「尊敬する歴史上の人物について（またその理由も）」③「その他の自由なテーマ」の３テーマで、この中から参加者が一つのテーマを選んで、一人５分で発表した。

　この日のスピーチコンテスト本戦には、総計２４名が参加して４校それぞれで行われた予選会を勝ち抜いた各校３名計１２名が臨んだ。また、エキシビションとして中央大学附属中学校と中央大学横浜山手中学校の中学生１０名（各学年２名）がレシテーション（暗唱）を行った。

　審査はヘッセ・スティーヴン先生（法学部教授）、ロバート・モートン先生（商学部教授）、ゲイリー・キャンター先生（経済学部教授）、それに今年度から加わったマイケル・ブレナン先生（総合政策学部准教授）の４名の先生が行い、総長賞と特別賞の受賞者が決まった。

　総長賞に輝いた黒川満由さんは、「上手に発音できず何度も外国人の先生にチェックしていただきました。実際始まってみると、みなさんのすばらしいスピーチに圧倒されながらも優勝することができ自信につながりました」と振り返りながら、笑顔で受賞を喜んだ。

　黒川さんが英語の勉強に興味を持ったのは、中学の時の英語の授業が楽しかったからだ。高校に進学し、学校主催の１０日ほどのオーストラリア研修に参加し、さらに英語への意欲が湧いてきた。

　今も英語の授業での宿題に加え、「耳読書」などの英語の教材を活用して英語の勉強に熱心に取り組んでいる。黒川さんは、「将来は世界と関わるような仕事がしたい」と夢を膨らませている。

Light and Shadow of the Sky Tree

Kurokawa Mayu（黒川　満由）
A junior at Chuo University Yokohama Yamate High School (Yokohama)

Hello, everyone. Today, I’d like to talk about “the Light and Shadow of the Sky Tree”. “The Sky Tree” in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, soon to be completed, attracts much attention. Boasting a height of 634m, it will be one of the world’s tallest. It’s equipped with a general energy saving plan. For example, a large-capacity water tank, facilities which reduce electric consumption, and so on. It is a great building which mixes old Japanese building structure, and the most advanced techniques. However, did you know that there are problems behind the Sky Tree?

Trouble occurred. There was a demonstration parade by homeless people who load empty cans on to carts. The front banners said “Collecting aluminum cans and newspapers is our job.” And “Don’t take poor people’s jobs away by force.” The Sumida-ku by-laws were revised as follows. ‘People other than specific traders are prohibited from carrying away empty cans and newspapers. Violators will be charged by police or fined two hundred thousand yen.’ So, the homeless who make their living by collecting resources had a sense of impending crisis and held a demonstration.

I often see homeless people living in houses made of cardboard at Kannai Station on the hot summer days and the cold winter days too.

I feel sad whenever I see them. Also, one day I saw a homeless person who was kneeling and begging at Ishikawa-cho station on my way home from school. I wanted to do something, but I thought “if he runs after me, and if he remembers me, what shall I do?” I became fearful. After all, I couldn’t do anything, but I later regretted it.

Based on my research on the homeless, the proportion of those collecting resources is 87%, and day laborers are 9%. I understand how important collecting resources is to their lives. I understand that the number of the homeless has been rapidly increasing for the last decade. Why doesn’t the number of homeless decrease? Because, for example, if there isn’t a guarantor, they cannot live in an apartment. In addition, they can’t have anything to do with a placement office if they don’t have an address and so on. In other words, they can’t work without money.

I think it must never be the case that “when poverty comes in the door, love flies out of the window.” Most importantly, it should be work to get an income. However, even work is not possible if we don’t have money. Don’t you think that it is a strange society?

The Sky Tree makes full use of great technology. But behind it, I knew for the first time there were suffering people. “Although I know collecting resources is an illegal act, the homeless can’t help but do it.” This comment remained in my mind. I think we mustn’t take the jobs of poor ‘homeless’ people. I think such laws were made by the people who couldn’t understand the situation. The government should put people before urban development.

That is why I have a suggestion. Firstly, the government should give priority to preparing an environment in which the homeless can live, and they should secure accommodation space for the homeless at one corner of the Sky Tree. Also, they should provide food and clothing. And, for example, the homeless could earn money by working as dustmen at the Sky Tree or by engaging in various activities. When they become independent, they will return a part of the reward to the government which supported them. Also, the government should enable them to be able to do the work they want to.

I think after all, nothing was solved by just a policy. A strong bond with society and the area is indispensable. According to the data, I understand people have impressions like “the homeless are dirty and lazy.” Many people are indifferent to the homeless. But it is a misunderstanding. I think the most important thing is a heart that is considerate to others without looking down on them. If there is support from the government and each persons’ conscience, the Sky Tree will become a true Japanese symbol and be loved by everyone.

Thank you for listening.

◆　　◆　　◆

　第５回附属４校英語スピーチコンテストの各賞受賞者は以下の通り。

◇中央大学総長賞
黒川満由さん（中央大学横浜山手中学校・高等学校／高校２年）
タイトル：Light and shadow of the Sky Tree

◇審査員特別賞（内容・構成部門）
青木悠夏さん（中央大学附属中学校・高等学校／高校１年）
タイトル：For Whom Is TPP?

◇審査員特別賞（英語表現部門）
菅野誠一郎さん（中央大学高等学校／高校１年）
タイトル：Through a Cup of Japanese Tea

◇審査員特別賞（発音・アピール部門）
柳岡佑果さん（中央大学杉並高等学校／高校３年）
タイトル：Why I Admire Oskar Schindler from the Movie "Schindler’s List"

（学生記者　斎丸仁志＝文学部２年）