Suzanne Enck-Wanzer knows some people are traumatized speaking in public.

But she said one way to overcome those fears and improve one’s confidence is by competing in speaking competitions.

“Any practice speaking in public should have the effect of helping people realize that public speaking is really nothing to fear,” Enck-Wanzer said.

Preliminaries for the Bock Public Speaking Contest will be held today in Coleman Hall Auditorium. In the past, anywhere from 15 to 50 contestants have entered.

The finals will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The preliminary rounds are split into groups of six contestants each and faculty members of the communication studies department judge each round.

After all the rounds have concluded, the judges rank the contestants in each round.

“All of the rankings are then tabulated and the six people with the best overall ranks advance to the final round on Wednesday night,” Enck-Wanzer said.

Dan Crews, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, said the event provides practical experience after learning speech techniques in class.

It’s beneficial to take part in a competitive setting and be awarded for these kinds of speeches, he said.

And the award is more that a certificate of achievement.

“Certainly, public speaking is chief among many of the areas that our students excel and, quite frankly, the potential to win money is quite an incentive, too,” Enck-Wanzer said.

The first place winner wins $300, second place wins $200, and third place wins $100.

Natalie Sager took part in the event in fall of 2004 and won third place.

“My teacher submitted my name after I gave my speech in class,” Sager said. “I had a fear of speaking, but afterwards, speeches were a little easier.”

Sager said she’d recommend others take part in the event because it wasn’t too bad.

Enck-Wanzer said taking part in these events is an excellent opportunity to hone one’s speaking skills and to demonstrate their involvement in the department.

She said those who attend are usually impressed to see the many talents Eastern students have to offer. It’s also interesting to see the range of topics and approaches that students will use in creating a persuasive message, she said.

“I always leave the final round feeling more impressed by our students and hopeful about our future generations,” she said.

Crews said contestants prepare a speech ahead of time, then deliver the speech in a predetermined order.

Sager said she gave her speech in class one week before the event and had three-to-five days to prepare for the contest.

Crews said some students might be a little intimidated to enter because it is out of the classroom setting.

“I know there is a certain amount of nervousness, but coming out of it, students gain satisfaction and pride,” he said.