The Western Carolina University Department of Communication hosted its second annual Speak Your Mind: Public Speaking Competition on Wednesday, April 30, in the UC Theater.
Speak Your Mind encourages confidence in public speaking among undergraduate students and brings awareness of communication skills.
“It gives students the platform to speak about things they are passionate about and draw others into the process,” said Mykala Anderson, junior in the communication department and co-event coordinator of Speak Your Mind.
Eight COMM 260: Foundations of Communication students presented and competed for cash prizes while honing their public speaking skills.
The top three contestants, Lex Lapish, Chloe Clark and Titus Fore, received $300 for first, $200 for second and $100 for third place, respectively.
The event was put together by Mykala Anderson and Cora Haste, with help from Parker Metlick, WCU PRSSA President, Bethan Wallace, sophomore communication student. There were also volunteers from the COMM 260: Introduction to Public Relations students and the communication department, who helped broadcast a remote of the event.
They used social media, word of mouth and email to promote the event to various audiences.
“It was exciting to hear people talk about the competition, knowing it is growing,” said Haste.
There were more contestants, promotion and excitement for the event than last year, with hopes of continued growth.
“Future generations of students will be able to host and practice event planning through the development of this event, and it will continue to benefit the growth of COMM 201 students,” said Anderson.