Public Speaking Continues To Be Of Interest Among SVSU Students

The Sims Public Speaking competition proved to be another success in its 19th year running. 

The competition was built as a way for students to get involved in public speaking and to familiarize themselves with speaking in front of audiences more effectively. 

Larry and Linda Sims, sponsors of the competition, have not only been the ones responsible for the tournament but have been actively involved in the competition since it started as well. 

At the start of the day, competitors gave their speeches in front of three judges during the preliminary rounds that began at noon. After each round, the scores were tabulated to determine who the six finalists would go on to deliver their speech in the final round.

Each round only consisted of the judges and five or six other competitors, but the final round, held in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall, was held in front of an audience of over one hundred students, faculty and prominent guests.

Linda Sims, Master of Ceremonies for the evening, introduced the six qualifiers for the final round. Among them were Cassie Hare, Walter Lubeckyj II, Jeremy Oldham, Holly Plewa, Chunchun Tang and Kevan Umberfield. 

To ensure fairness among contestants, seven new judges were chosen to judge the final round. 

The judges chosen were co-sponsor Larry Sims, State Representative Andy Coulours, Honor Darnell Jackson, Cheryl Hadsall, Sue Kaltenbach, Vice President Donald Bachand, and Dr. William E. Gourd. 

After hearing each speech, the judges gave their ranks to determine the placing for first, second and third.

Every finalist was awarded a plaque as well as prize money.

Placing first,  and receiving $400, was Tang with her speech on culture and its importance for second language students. Hare placed second and earned $200 with her speech on the importance of nutrition in children in order to prevent obesity. Awarded third place  with $100 was Plewa with her speech on the benefits of studying abroad. 

The remaining three, Lubeckyj, Oldham and Umberfield, each received $50 for their participation in the competition and making it to the final round.

Second and third place winners, Hare and Plewa, commented on their experience as they took part in the competition. 

“The competition was such an awesome experience and I learned a lot from the judges’ comments,” Hare said. 

Plewa made her own observation about the competition. 

“[It] was a great opportunity for people to speak about things they are passionate about and learn from different speakers.”