Hillsdale College’s Taryn Murphy Wins 2020 Edward Everett Speech Contest
Junior takes $3,000 prize in annual speech competition for second year
Hillsdale, Mich.— Hillsdale College congratulates junior Taryn Murphy on winning the 2020 Edward Everett Prize in Oratory. This is the second year that Murphy received first place in the annual public speaking competition, which is now in its 20th year.
The theme of this year’s Edward Everett Oratory Contest, hosted annually by the Office of the Provost and Department of Rhetoric and Public Address, was “How to Be a Good Neighbor in a Divided World.” Five finalists presented their speeches to a panel of judges that included Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn, entrepreneur Don Tocco, and Buckley School of Communication instructor Jana Daley. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three competitors.
Other finalists included senior Michelle Reid, who won second place; junior Connor Daniels, who won third place; sophomore Molly Buccola; and freshman Ethan Tong.
Thanks to an endowment from the Saul N. Silbert Charitable Trust, Hillsdale College hosts the annual Edward Everett Oratory Contest to encourage Hillsdale College 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, click here.