Hillsdale College’s Taryn Murphy Wins 2019 Edward Everett Speech Contest
Hillsdale sophomore takes $3,000 prize in annual speech competition
Hillsdale, Mich.— Hillsdale College congratulates sophomore Taryn Murphy on winning the 2019 Edward Everett Prize in Oratory, an annual public speaking competition now in its 19th year.
“The level of communication skills presented every year at this event is simply extraordinary,” said Don Tocco, entrepreneur and one of the judges of the competition. “This year’s winner, Taryn Murphy, is the perfect example of what the Everett strives for in communications excellence. Her ability to cohesively synthesize a complex topic and present it in such an efficient, forceful, and efficacious manner exemplifies the objective of all great rhetoric.”
The theme of this year’s Edward Everett Oratory Contest, hosted annually by the Office of the Provost and the Rhetoric and Public Address Department, was “Immigration and the Nation State: The Rites and Rules of Borders.” Five finalists presented their speeches to a panel of judges that included Hillsdale President Larry P. Arnn, entrepreneur Don Tocco, and Associate Dean of Men Jeffery Rogers. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three competitors.
Other finalists included sophomore Anna Katherine Daley, who won second place; junior Nathan Grime, who won third place; senior Rachael Menosky; and freshman Molly Buccola.
Thanks to an endowment from the Saul N. Silbert Charitable Trust, Hillsdale College hosts the annual Edward Everett Oratory Competition to encourage Hillsdale students in the development of public discourse skills. All undergraduates in good standing may compete for cash prizes of $1,000 for third place, $2,000 for second place, and $3,000 for first place. For more information, see The Edward Everett Oratory Contest.