The COM 1100 Speech Contest was held Wednesday, March 27. Six finalists advanced from a semi-final round held on Monday, March 25th.  Contestants were selected out of COM 1100 to present the informative speech they prepared for class.

The finalists were:

• Michael Smedley – Artificial Intelligence
•  Zoe Clark – How to Take the Perfect Nap
•  Doug Neighbors – Sensation and Perception
•  Laura Riggsbee – The Unseen Reality of Human Trafficking
•  Harper Mundy – Synesthesia
•  Hannah Kerbs – The Princess Effect

Professor Jason Stahl, coach of Belmont’s Speech & Debate Team, judged the final round along with two Speech & Debate Team members,  Alexandar Baynum and Marissa Avnaim.

Doug Neighbors placed first, Michael Smedley placed second, and Harper Mundy placed third. Along with bragging rights and a resume-builder, winners took home Amazon.com gift cards.

Lambda Pi Eta members, Annie Donnell, Michael Payne, and Ashley Cooked volunteered for the event.

Videos of the finalists’ speeches can be found here.