Colleen Fashing, a senior speech communication major, won first

place at the speech communication department’s annual spring

speaking contest.

Six speakers competed in the final speech round last week in

the Coleman Hall Auditorium based on their preliminary round

Monday night.

In the final speech round, contestants delivered a six to eight

minute persuasive speech before a panel of judges, said Mike

Bradd, associate professor for speech communications. The

contest was open to Eastern speech communication majors and

minors.

Fashing won for her speech titled “Researching Pays Off.” She

received a $300 cash prize and will have her name engraved on a

plaque that is displayed in the speech communication office.

Second place went to Jessica Shields, a junior, who received

$200 for her efforts while third place was awarded to Daryl

Jones, a senior, who received $100.

Bradd said Shields achieved first place in a fall speaking

contest. He said for her to place second in the spring contest

was excellent.

Other finalists in the competition were Meagan McNichols, Brian

Roche and Malia Turner.

Bradd said the contest produced a number of good speeches that

were impressive.

He said the speeches also are an asset to a student’s college

learning experience.

“The speeches really give students that extra experience,”

Bradd said.

Bradd also credited Doug Bock, chair of the student activities

committee, for his assistance in sponsoring the event.