小蝌蚪APP

Murphy Student Wins USA Public Speaking Competition

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Posted on April 23, 2015

Joy Washington

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Great communication and problem-solving skills are what most employers consider important attributes for success in college, the work environment and the global marketplace.

The 小蝌蚪APP鈥檚 department of communication in the College of Arts and Sciences recently sponsored its annual High School Public Speaking Contest in the University鈥檚 Student Center Ballroom where 61 high school students in the 9-12^th grades participated. This year鈥檚 first place winner was Murphy High School student Cameron Robinson.

Each of the students prepared a persuasive speech advocating a position about a current event. The participating students competed in front of a panel of judges comprised of faculty, staff, alumni from the communication department and professionals. This year鈥檚 theme was 鈥淐urrent Events.鈥� 

This competition was also hosted by the Mobile County Commission, and the gift cards were donated by Pearson Education. The top three finishers of the competition were:

• Cameron Robinson, first place winner and recipient of a $100 gift card, from Murphy High School, who spoke on 鈥淪ay No to Drugs.鈥�
• Marie Doyle, second place winner and recipient of a $75 gift card, from the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, who spoke on the 鈥淪cottish Independence Referendum.鈥�
• Johannass Soekhies, third place winner and recipient of a $50 gift card, from Murphy High School, who spoke on 鈥淭he Reality of Rape.鈥�

Each speech was five minutes and judged based on creativity, clarity, organization and delivery, among other measures.

鈥淭he high school public speaking contest is an excellent opportunity for individual students to receive experience and recognition for their public speaking skills,鈥� explained Katherine Rigsby, USA communication instructor.

Students who participated in the contest were from Mobile Christian School, Murphy High School, St. Paul鈥檚 Episcopal School, the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science and Davidson High School.

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