NPCC Public Speaking students participate in Word Speech competition

Students in North Platte Community College's Public Speaking class recently took part in the NPCC Word Speeches competition at the college. Pictured from left to right are Stanley Mugeki, NPCC Director of Housing and Student Activities, Nadyne Crumly, NPCC Speech/Human Relations Instructor, and Word Speech winners Brooke Henry, Trisha Rogers, Daniel Allison, Joseph Gieseler and Da'Vontaye Merritt. Not pictured is Danyelle Welsh. (Courtesy photo)

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- Students in North Platte Community College's Public Speaking class recently had the opportunity to learn about the power of words -- both in writing and in speaking -- when they were challenged to select any word they liked, research it, and present a speech about the word to class.

"The emphasis in the class has been not only on improved public speaking, but on vocabulary building," said Nadyne Crumly, NPCC Speech/Human Relations instructor. "Powerful public speakers with extensive vocabularies are often more successful in speaking to make a difference. Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X are considered fine examples."

Some of the words the students selected were "problem" -- a question to be considered, solved or fixed; "ignoramus" -- dunce, fool; and "darkness" -- evil. Some other words used were "vent" and "competitive."

The students were judged on their presentations in areas such as giving a good definition of their word, using it in a way that it isn't typically used or associated with, their research on the origin and history of the word, speaking extemporaneously and having good eye contact. They also took a vocabulary quiz about all of the words.

The first place award went to Brooke Henry of Loup City; second place went to Trisha Rogers of Oxford; third place went to Daniel Allison of North Platte; and fourth place went to Joseph Gieseler of Chadron. Da'Vontaye Merritt of Plantation, Fla., and Danyelle Welsh of North Platte received Honorable Mention. Stanley Mugeki, NPCC Director of Housing and Student Activities, judged the competition along with student judges Merritt and Welsh.

During a reception following the awards ceremony, Mugeki, who is originally from Kenya, took time to explain the correct pronunciation of the word, Kenya. He also talked about the name of a large mountain in Kenya.