IU Southeast to hold first Voices of Change speech contest

22nd January 2013

NEW ALBANY, IN, (Jan. 22, 2013) – The Department of Communication Studies and Campus Life are sponsoring the Voices of Change Speech Contest on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. in UC 127.

This is the first year for the Voices of Change speech contest, which features finalists from Speech 121 courses. Each Speech 121 course selection chose a class representative to represent their class, and those individual speeches were then evaluated by a group of preliminary judges to choose the top five.

The five finalists are: McKayla Phillips, pre-nursing sophomore from Vine Grove, Ky.; Krystal Gilbert, music sophomore from Louisville; Rose Goodwin, pre-elementary education sophomore from Charlestown, Ind.; Christopher Morris, pre-chemistry sophomore from Scottsburg, Ind.; and Eric Caudill, pre-business junior from Louisville.

This year’s contest is also serving as a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event, said Seuth Chaleunphonh, dean of student life.

“We are honoring Dr. King’s oratorical skills on civil rights and poverty through exemplary student speeches about social issues for the betterment of society,” he said.

The finalists’ speeches will be considered by five judges from the University, IU Southeast alumni, and the community. They include a retired professor, a retired professional staff member, two graduates from the Communication program, and a community member.

Rebecca Carlton, coordinator of basic courses in Communication Studies and lecturer in Communication Studies, said the five judges who were selected were carefully selected.

“I wanted judges who brought a variety of backgrounds and experience to the evaluations of the speeches,” Carlton said.

The judges will announce the winner at the conclusion of the night’s presentations. The top five finalists will each receive a scholarship amount ranging from $50-$250.

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