Students take the spotlight at Public Speaking Festival

Last week, students packed the K building at the Charleston campus for CSN’s Public Speaking Festival, and everyone left a little more confident than they arrived. Led by David Hanley-Tejeda from the Communication Department, six finalists took the stage to deliver three informative and three persuasive speeches in front of a panel of guest judges and a supportive crowd. Guest judges representing local business and media included well-known community leaders Jon Ralston, Anjali Patel, and Stephanie Selesnick.

Topics ranged from reconnecting with hometown friends to the work of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, and even a deep dive into the rise and fall of disco in the 1970s, proving that any subject can shine when paired with strong delivery and passion.

Just before winners were announced, the room received a surprise appearance on the big screen: a congratulatory video message from Congresswoman Dina Titus. She applauded the finalists for their hard work and reminded everyone that strong public speaking skills can open doors in any career. She closed by thanking CSN for helping students strengthen their voices.

Among the standout performers was Sidney Blackmere, who earned second place for his informative speech on the history and comeback of Tamagotchis, those iconic digital pets from childhood.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re over the hill as I am,” he said. “You can… talk about Tamagotchi’s, talk about your favorite childhood experience, and walk away with some candy, a trophy, and a nice pat on the back.”

As the evening wrapped up, the top three speakers in each category took home trophies, and even more importantly; cheers, hugs, and high-fives from friends and faculty who were proud to see their confidence soar.