After skipping a year due to COVID-19, the Troy University Intramural Speech Tournament resumed on April 21. Lauren Martin, a sophomore nursing major, had the top overall score.
Held in the HAL Hall of Honor, the tournament hosted several rounds of participants narrowed down to six finalists and three top scorers in the categories of informative and persuasive speaking.
Guest judges educator Becky Kirby of Troy, Professor Kelly Williams from the University of West Georgia and current Second Congressional District candidate Vimal Patel of Dothan, Ala. helped select the top scorers.
For earning the top marks, Martin was awarded the Dr. George Robert Boyd and Mrs. Lucille King Boyd Debate Scholarship. The goal of her speech was to persuade the audience to consider the health benefits of studying in bed.
“I am always excited to try new things,” Martin said. “I went into the tournament with an open mind, knowing I would be up against many talented individuals, and sometimes you surprise yourself. I was excited to hear my name called as the winner.
“I would like to thank the Hall School and the Foundation for this opportunity for me to exercise my newfound talent of public speaking. I signed up to showcase what I learned in public speaking class, and I am thrilled.”
Marissa Lacey, a junior broadcast journalism major, had the top score in the persuasive speaking category, and Hannah Grace Wilkinson, a sophomore communication studies major, had the top informative speaking score.
In her speech, Lacey spoke about compromise in romantic relationships.
“The experience was amazing, and I would happily do it again,” she said. “Being able to talk to all the other competitors between rounds was great because we lifted each other up.”
Wilkinson’s speech topic was inspired by course projects and personal experience.
“I wrote an informative speech about conflict management between neurodivergent people and neurotypical people,” she said. “This is a topic that is particularly special to me since I have loved ones that are on the autism spectrum.”
Other finalists included freshman Ashley Gardner, junior Nicole Carlvret and freshman Paige Lewis.
