Rahul Srinivas is finished talking. Indeed, after seizing the title of national oratory champion on August 9 in Sacramento, California, the University of Maryland freshman was left speechless.
"I really have to hand it to everyone who participated, at all the levels. All of them were prepared, and had really good speeches. It's really humbling to think that out of all those people, someone thought I was better," Srinivas commented when he did regain his voice.
Srinivas’s magical moment was the culmination of six months of hard work. In preparation for the Institute of Applied Agriculture’s (IAA) first speech contest in March, Srinivas wrote his speech about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption to specifically target a high-school audience. After winning the IAA’s contest, Srinivas took the state win, earning the privilege of representing Maryland in California earlier this month. To an audience of over 50 competitors, judges, and supporters, Rahul gave an electrifying performance of his 10-minute memorized oration. Participants were judged on subject matter, composition and delivery.
“Rahul was absolutely wonderful,” said Bunny Galladora, an audience member who heard the speech. “We are very proud of him!”
Srinivas has always been a poised person with nerves uneasily ruffled, but he admits that the Sacramento stage left him a bit daunted. "Competing in California was pretty nerve-racking. They had all of us sit facing the audience, even when we weren't speaking, which in a way, made me more nervous than even giving the speech. But I knew I had the support of my family, friends, and coach, so that made me confident.”
Srinivas’s coach was IAA Oral Communication Instructor Nina LaTassa. Srinivas met with LaTassa frequently to fine tune his speech delivery. "I'm so proud of Rahul. He represented our speech team and the IAA incredibly well. I look forward to working with him and the rest of our amazing students this upcoming year!"
“IAA’s Oral Communication instructors hosted the contest as a fun way to promote student speaking skills,” explains IAA Director Glori Hyman, “and it grew from there. What a great way to end the first year of the new Oral Comm initiative.”
Srinivas is looking forward to retiring from speaking competitively— at least for now. “I’m happy I did it, and it was an awesome experience. I’m glad it’s over, though!” He admits that the $500 cash prize was a welcomed bonus.
