The Annual Speech Competition is a

Georgia Highlands College tradition.

Welcome!

The 15th Annual Public Speaking Competition will adopt a new format and we are excited for your participation!

To participate, GHC students will prepare an informative or persuasive speech on a topic of their choosing (5-6 minutes long). Students will record this speech and submit it to an online primary round in the Fall or Spring, in which it will be judged by GHC faculty and staff judges to determine prize winners, and also to determine which speeches advance to the semifinal and final rounds. At the Academic Showcase in May, primary round winners will be invited to compete for more prizes and the grand prize by delivering the same speech in person.

Throughout, this event offers GHC themed prizes, GHC bookstore gift cards, and prize money, and all competitors also gain valuable experience writing persuasive speeches, delivering a position speech in an academic environment, and communicating widely about an issue they care about.

Please read the rules and instructions page carefully before submitting your entry.

Fall primary: online submissions are welcome
from September 23 to November 15, 2024.

Spring primary: online submissions are welcome
from February 24 to April 18, 2025.

Semifinal and Final rounds will take place at the Academic Showcase,
May 2, 2025 at Cartersville camps.

About the Speech Competition:

The event invites GHC students to prepare and deliver a persuasive speech to an audience of fellow students, faculty, family, and friends. Many of our students learn basic public address theory and practice in our Human Communication course or Public Speaking course. Still, the performative art of speaking in public is one that requires significant practice in front of live audiences to master. To that end, our event is an opportunity for students to demonstrate speech preparation, verbal style, physical delivery, and to build experience in front of unfamiliar audiences.

Questions or comments?

Steve Stuglin – Competition Director – sstuglin@highlands.edu