Given the topic "Good neighbours come from all different races and cultures", Kelsey Brown took a look in her back yard and then further abroad before writing a thought-provoking speech.
Kelsey competed in the Race Unity Speech Award competition last month after she won the Otago regional final.
The year 13, Otago Girls High School pupil went on to win her semifinal in Auckland but was unplaced in the final.
"I was very excited. I didn't expect to be put through to the finals," Kelsey said.
Pupils were also able to attend an all-day conference which Kelsey enjoyed, as she was able to learn more about civil rights.
The contest and conference were initiated by the New Zealand Baha'i community, sponsored by the New Zealand Police and supported by the Human Rights Commission and Office of Ethnic Affairs.
