Last Friday, the Communication Department hosted its annual Brother Dunstan Bowles Persuasive Speaking Contest. Dr. Teri Varner, assistant professor of Communication and the coordinator for the event, is proud to announce that the number of student online entries for the contest doubled from last  year and that this year's edition attracted the largest student participation yet.

Due to the overwhelming response several adjustments had to be made to the contest.  The total number of entries (26) needed to be narrowed down to a top 10 list.  Students that made the top 10 list were selected based on several criteria: 1) late entries were eliminated; 2) had a complete online entry – this included providing a title and brief description of the persuasive speech; 3) year of academic status - seniors and juniors were given priority.  All remaining entries were assigned alternate slots. 

This year's winners are:
1. Nash Urrutia - Repeal Stand Your Ground Laws
2. Chassidy Smith - Trayvon Martin: Concealed Weapons and "Self Defense"
3. Bianca Broman - Non-Legalization of Prostitution

Biography of the top three speakers:
Nash Urrutia is a junior Political Science major with an emphasis in pre-law. He is twenty years old, born and raised in San Marcos, TX. Nash is the eldest of three, and has two younger sisters ages 13 and 14. Following his graduation in the spring of 2013, Nash hopes to attend law school and practice law as either a criminal law attorney, or human rights attorney. Following this career, he hopes to run for a political office. In high school, Nash was a member of the band where he played saxophone and was a section leader. At St. Edward's he is a member of the Student Government Association, where he serves as the Court Clerk for the Student Court of Appeals.

Chassidy Smith is a freshman Communication major. She serves as a student ambassador and is also a member of BSA. In these first two semesters she learned very quickly that it is okay if she doesn't have it all figured out. Chassidy believes that the things that she will experience here at St. Edward's will help her figure out all she needs to know.

Bianca Broman is a freshman studying Spanish. She grew up in Houston, Texas. This is her first time in a public speaking competition, although she was involved in theater in high school. Her favorite hobby is crocheting, which she makes time for everyday. 

Congratulations to all of them! And congratulations to Dr. Varner for putting on another successful event.