Speech, Debate Contest Takes Center Stage
Westmont students Riley Svikhart and Michael Deiana will square off in a final debate Thursday, Feb. 28, in Hieronymus Lounge at Kerrwood Hall at 7 p.m. The 17th Annual Tournament of Expressions is free and open to the public.
“Debaters discover the topics and choose a position mere minutes before the competition formally begins, emphasizing mental agility as well as critical thinking and public speaking skills,” says Deborah Dunn, Westmont professor of communication studies.
At the event, students Seth Gruber and Rebecca Shasberger compete for first and second prizes in the Great Speeches portion of the tournament. Shasberger will deliver Ronald Reagan's 1985 Remarks at the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, and Gruber will deliver Charles Spurgeon's 1864 sermon, "Do You Know Him?"
The Westmont tournament originated with a gift from Montecito residents, Bob and Jean Svoboda. The Svobodas, working with the Westmont Communication Studies Department, wanted to inspire and reward active civic involvement among college students. “The theme of the tournament is Passion and Civility, since the Svobodas and the faculty wanted students to be passionate about their ideas while also modeling civility in public discourse,” Dunn says.
The debates are impromptu and the topics become increasingly more challenging as each round progresses. The speeches are chosen by students as exemplars of great speeches — speeches that turned the course of history, transformed a public conversation or changed the course of civilization.
“I’m excited to see how the debate contestants respond to each other, as they have very different debate styles,” says Lexi Airey, student tournament co-director. “And we have a great line-up of speeches — quite a variety. It should be a very interesting night.”
“I like that we gather to hear great speeches and oral arguments — words matter,” Dunn says. “And one of my favorite parts of the evening is hearing the one-minute impromptu speeches modeled after NPR’s segment, ‘This I Believe.’ It’s a great night for oratory.”