Details
Fourth Formers Compete in Public Speaking Contest
Eleven Fourth Formers participated in Westminster’s third annual Public Speaking Contest April 30 in Sejong Lecture Hall. The students were selected for the competition based on the quality of the speeches they wrote and presented during the Speech Writing and Public Speaking course they took during the winter trimester. Speech Writing and Public Speaking is part of the Fourth Form Civic Engagement curriculum and is paired with the Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse class offered in the fall.
After welcoming the audience to the competition, Todd Eckerson, the lead teacher for Public Speaking, explained how the contest, which restarted in 2016, is a reboot of prior competitions that have been held on and off at Westminster since 1924. He displayed a “new” trophy constructed from the cup awarded to Joseph G. Holland ’24, believed to be the 1924 winner. This new “hardware” was made possible by the efforts of Karl Lund of the Advancement Office, architecture teacher Rebeccah Tuscano-Moss and others.
Todd described how students in the current competition had to give two speeches during the course and that the finalists were selected based on their second speech. There were seven class sections, and he thanked the co-teachers and student teaching assistants. He also announced that three additional awards had been added to the competition: Best Read Manuscript, Mikaila Lupoli; Best First Speech, Abby Munger; and Best Diagrammed Speech, Ellie Suit.
Todd then introduced the finalists, who each gave their original speech before the audience. They included Eve Cathcart, Abby Davis, Alex Ellis, Juan Jo Garibay, Finn Gerry, Ridgley Green, Kyani Jemmotte, Allison Kijanka, Paige Philips, Chris Turino, Laura Velez, Aidan Wood and Olivia Zhang. Finn Gerry and Ridgley Green were unable to attend the competition. A team of faculty judges evaluated each speech on a number of categories and then deliberated to select a winner who will be announced during commencement weekend.
Contact Us
995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070
P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070
P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
Explore Our Website
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
© Copyright 2024 Westminster School | Privacy Policy
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.