Winner will compete with other states next month!
Can you imagine being a college student having to convince your peers to abstain from alcohol? That was the task given to members of IAA’s newly formed Speech and Debate Club.
Six freshmen seized the persuasive challenge and competed in the first oratorical contest hosted by the Institute of Applied Agriculture on March 11. For a month, students worked with IAA’s Oral Communication Lecturer Nina LaTassa on developing and presenting their persuasive speeches. After the contest, LaTassa who organized the newly formed club and serves as its speech coach beamed, “I feel so proud of all the students for such hard work. They all deserve awards.”
The judges, lecturers Ed Priola, Tony Pagnotti and IAA director Glori Hyman had a tough task in selecting the top three winners from the talented group of orators. In the end, third place went to Nishka Butra, while Sarah Niezelski was the runner-up. The top prize was awarded to Rahul Srinivas, the Vice President of the Speech Club. A former member of his high school Mock Trial team, Srinivas will compete in the state finals to be held on April 16th in Harrisburg, PA. A win there will make him eligible to move onto the national level.
Following the contest held at Jull Hall, a pleased LaTassa commented, “I know Rahul will represent UMD very well.”
