The Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase (VSPSS), hosted by Missouri State University’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film (CMJF), gives Fundamentals of Public Speaking (COM 115) students the opportunity to practice what they have learned in class.

The students were assigned different instructors who guided their practice and gave feedback. They then presented their best persuasive speeches to their peers and a panel of judges made up of MSU faculty members and other public speaking experts.

This year’s Spring VSPSS took place on April 29 in the Plaster Student Union.

The judges were Dr. Carrisa Hoelscher, Dr. Kelly Wood and Tyler Curran from MSU and public speakers Chris Roberds and Ethan Gambriel.

Christian Byndom, a psychology major from Nixa, Missouri, presented a speech titled, “Seeing People for Who They Are.” Byndom emerged as first place and audience choice award winner.

“Being surrounded by such talented people, not only in the finals but in the first two rounds, motivated me to become better and I’m honored to have been among such phenomenal competitors,” Byndom said.

Gavin Robertson, Lauren Painter, Faith Hinrichs and Maddux Radosevic finished second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively. [Read more…] about Talent and persuasion on display at Vicki Stanton Public Speaking Showcase