Western Carolina University’s communication department hosted its first public speaking contest on April 25.
Mykala Anderson and Cora Haste planned and executed the event. As part of their honor contract, they “planned the event from start to finish,” said Anderson.
They began this project as the department head, Dr. Scott Eldredge wanted to do the event, but no one in the department had time.
“Cora and I were given full control to create, plan and execute the competition,” said Anderson.
The Speak Your Mind public speaking contest had eight contestants nominated from COMM-201 classes. Students presented five-minute speeches to compete for cash prizes.
Winners received $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third.
The contestants were Lucas Atercio, Tirzah Blazis, Madison Hopp, Zecheriah Hoppes, Naomi Millis, Amber Robbins, Kiki Shepherd and Alex Stewart.
Zecheriah Hoppes placed first, and Amber Robbins and Naomi Millis placed second and third.
Contestants were judged by a rubric similar to COMM-201’s persuasive speech assignments “with specific notes to the appropriate language, clarity with the thesis, dressing in business casual and physical behaviors,” said Anderson, co-creator of Speak Your Mind.
The judging panel consisted of communication professors, Dr. Mindy Weathers, Dr. Candy Noltensmeyer and senior communication student Liam Bridgeman.
“We wanted to get non-COMM-201 professors to be on our judges panel since the competition was specifically for COMM-201 students to present their persuasive speeches,” said Anderson.
The event goals were to generate excitement around the department and public speaking while highlighting students’ personal projects. Additionally, Anderson and Haste wanted to encourage healthy competition, provide a professional development opportunity and create a well-spirited environment with community building and friendly competition.
Anderson and Haste hope to see Speak Your Mind become a recurring event.
“We want to say thank you to our judges and contestants for participating and making the event as successful as it was,” said Anderson and Haste.