Western Carolina University’s Department of Communication held its third annual “Speak Your Mind” public speaking competition on Thursday, April 23.
This competition is intended to showcase and encourage the public speaking skills of students who have taken the Comm 201 course within the last two semesters.
“The ‘Speak Your Mind’ public speaking competition started out as a way to give more awareness for what the Foundations of Communication 201 class does, for their advocacy and persuasive speeches. and it allows students to really showcase their voice and be rewarded for their eloquent public speaking capabilities,” said Mykala Anderson, event organizer and emcee.
This year’s winners were Katie Borke in first place, Nancy Ken-Otomi in second place, and Ben Edwards in third place. The winning students were rewarded with $300 for first place, $200, for second place, and $100 for third place.
This year’s competition was organized by Anderson, a senior Communication student. She created the event along with WCU Communication alum Cora Haste in 2024. This will be the last public speaking competition she organizes, but hopes to continue the tradition in the coming years.
“It’s probably one of my favorite things that I’ve created, and so I am always super impressed at how it goes, and to see how we grow the event every year,” said Anderson.
Stay tuned to @wcucommdepartment on Instagram to catch the next “Speak Your Mind” public speaking competition.