Speaker’s Edge Competition Helps Hone Presentation Skills

Annual event challenges students to prepare, think and state their case before judges

In today’s world, college graduates entering the workforce with well-developed speaking skills have a huge advantage. University of Mississippi student recently got an opportunity to hone their public speaking skills and vie for a championship during the 11th annual Speaker’s Edge Competition.
The program culminated in a two-day competition, where students present three different presentations before a panel of judges loaded with industry business leaders.
The program is open to graduate accountancy students enrolled in Accountancy 503, MBA students enrolled in MBA 603 and undergraduates in engineering, journalism and the Center for Manufacturing Excellence enrolled in Speech 105. In these courses, students spend a week-and-a-half working with communication coaches, who provide early preparation and a point person to answer questions and guide the students through the process.
Graduate student winners included Phillip Clothiaux, of Rogersville, Mo., who was named overall Speaker’s Edge champion; Julian Sanchez and Victoria Ragland, both of Jonesboro, Ark., who were first-place winners in the ethical dilemma and marketplace pitch categories, respectively; and Chris Conley, of Bradenton, Fla., who took first place in the informative category.
The overall winner from the undergraduate CME program was Mary Catherine Domino, a sophomore from Yorba Linda, Calif., who also took first place in all three categories.
Each overall winner received a Speaker’s Edge scholarship. John Currence of City Grocery Restaurant Group and John Cassimus of Jinsei Sushi donated gift cards for the winners. Also receiving gift cards were the winners of the Best First Impression Video, the Peer Coaching Award and the Most Improved Speaker.
“The great thing about Speakers Edge is that it everyone involved with the class works to build up each other’s public speaking confidence,” said Clothiaux, a master’s student in accountancy. “This class forces everyone to leave their comfort zone and really put themselves out there, which is definitely scary, but it helps foster camaraderie among all participates. This is was an experience that I will always value and treasure.”
“We applaud our students for growing and transforming,” said Ashley Jones, UM director of MBA/MHA administration. “We also thank the coaches and judges. Students who were fearful of public speaking were able to overcome and ease their fear. Students who were comfortable speaking beforehand now can give a stronger delivery.
Rick Duke, UM director of economic development and executive director of Insight Park, was among more than 60 industry business leaders on task to judge the competition.
“Public speaking is typically an anxiety-filled experience, even for those who frequently speak before groups of people,” Duke said. ”The university students who participated in last week’s competition were not only well-prepared but seemed very much at ease in front of the judges.
“They were exceptionally bright and speak highly of the caliber of future employees for Mississippi and other companies around the globe.”
Joann Edwards, director of forensics at the university’s Lott Leadership Institute, credits the academic and professional partners – the “dreamers and doers” – as well as the sponsors for the success of the program. “They are the ones who simply want to make our students better and more prepared to meet the high intensity communication demands of their profession,” Edwards said.
“I was proud to have this group of students representing our university. Their ability, spirit and work ethic were a joy to witness. And the judges were energetic, engaged and their contribution to the students’ education is, quite literally, invaluable.”
The event was co-sponsored by the university’s schools of Business Administration, Accountancy, and Journalism and New Media, the UM Lott Leadership Institute, Regions Bank, FedEx, Chick-fil-A, City Grocery Restaurant Group, L-3 Communications Sustainment Solutions, Renasant Bank, Matt Thornton, Tom Troxler and Joseph Woods.
–Misty Cowherd, Ole Miss News Desk