Prize money offered in speech competition

Winning money for speaking does not happen every day, although some politicians may have you think otherwise.

Fortunately for the Utah Valley University student body, the Maria Clegg Jones Speech competition, sponsored by the Communications Department, comes for the second time to campus.

A grand prize of $300 will be awarded to the winner. Second place will receive $200, and third, $100.

Since this is the competition’s second year, students are more familiar with it and are excitedly preparing themselves.

“I’m just going to go in there and do the best I can — after all it is my first time,” said Omar Prestwich, a UVU freshman business management student.

Students who are new to the competition are exactly who communications professor Janet Colvin would like to enter. “This is an exciting opportunity for any student to actually have a chance to try (competitive speaking),” said Colvin.

Approximately 65 students participated last year. The competition begins Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. in the UVU library lecture hall. Students will compete in two preliminary competitions, with the first beginning at 4 p.m. and the second at 5 p.m.

At 7 p.m., students and the public are invited to attend the final round. Immediately following the final round, the winners will be announced and awards given.

Students are encouraged to register for the competition by logging onto www.uvu.edu/comm and clicking on the “Janet Colvin” link.

The registration deadline is Oct. 31, and only current UVU students are allowed to participate in the competition. The speech should be a persuasive speech, five to seven minutes long, using no visual aids.