David M. Jones Persuasive Speaking Contest Winners Announced

Joel Langston wins first place in David Jones Speech Contest

Four Parkland College students earned top honors among the 14 persuasive speakers who recently presented at the 19th annual David M. Jones Persuasive Speaking Contest.

The competition, which highlights the speaking styles and skills of students who have taken a communication class at Parkland, gives students the opportunity to speak in support of their favorite charity. Local, national, and international charities were represented.

Earning first place honors in this year's May 11 contest was Joel Langston of Champaign, whose speech supporting the Eastern Illinois Food Bank earned him a $500 scholarship. The food bank will receive a $500 donation from the Communication program faculty.

"Participating in the David Jones Speech Contest allowed me the opportunity to support a cause I believe in," Langston explained. "It provided valuable experience and improved communication skills that are applicable in both my personal and professional endeavors, and helped bolster my confidence in public speaking settings. I'm very grateful to have taken part!"

Delma Cobb of Rantoul came in second with her speech for the Equal Justice Initiative, earning a prize of $250. Jake Van Anrooy of Poplar Grove was third with a speech supporting Jazz at Lincoln Center, and won $100. Fourth place winner Cavan Morber of Champaign will receive $50 for his speech supporting the Ocean Cleanup.

Each year, Parkland's Communication faculty selects communication professionals within the community and campus as finalist judges. This year's final-round judges were Parkland president Tom Ramage; Peter Barrett, production manager of WCIA/WCIX TV; Grant Thompson, vice president and general manager of WDWS/WHMS; Tracy Wahlfeldt, executive director of the Parkland College Foundation; and Morgann Quilty, associate dean of Parkland's Learning Commons.

The contest is sponsored by the Parkland College Communication program and Parkland's Fine and Applied Arts department and is supported by donations made to the David Jones Persuasive Speech Contest Scholarship Fund. The fund was created in honor of Jones, former chair of the Fine and Applied Arts department from 1988 until his death from cancer in 2002. The annual speech contest honors Dr. Jones' commitment to the communication discipline and student enrichment.