Let the Contest Begin!

Here are all the contestants from the International and Table Topics Speech Contests.  L to R: Ray Daley, Molly Garnett, Judy Groff and Karen Alexander (the two International Speech contestants), Caitlin Owens, Carole Kitchen, and Don Groff.

Consider how you would respond to this TT prompt:  "Every four years,  there's a leap year, the presidential election, and the Summer Olympics.  How would you compare or contrast two of these three events happening this year?"  Two of the five TT contestants chose to not mention the presidential event.

In light of the presidential omission of shaking hands with the Speaker of the House two days before, Contest Master Stan Coss spoke of there being maybe a greater courtesy in using the fist bump over the handshake to relinquish control of the speaking area.  It was, after all, the peak of the flu and virus season.

The contest was well attended by all the support team members in timing, counting, and judging.  There were also four guests visiting from BRCC, mostly members of Stan's public speaking class, who were getting bonus points by critiquing the speakers.

One student said he was mistaken for a judge, and a ballot counter took up his ballots.  These were not counted in the final tally, however, as Chief Judge Jeanne Resen was in charge.  There was one time disqualification, so the timers had to be diligent with their  role.

The next round is at the area contest on February 22 at Habitat for Humanity in Asheville at 9:00 AM to noon. The two top winners that will represent FSTM are Judy and Don Groff.  Second place for table topics went to New Member Ray Daley, and third place went to Caitlin Owens

Special thanks goes to all the inspiring contestants and, especially, to all the timers, counters, and judges.  A contest does not happen without such a team to back up the contestants.

Those in attendance were the following:   Karen Alexander, Stan Coss,  Ray Daley, Molly Garnett, Hoyt Griffith, Don Groff, Judy Groff, Sally Jones, Carole Kitchen, Melinda Lowrance, Betty McCallister, Danielle Messer, Caitlin Owens, Jeanne Resen,  Susann Swan, and Wendy Whitaker.  Guests were Grant Guffey, Cameron, Rachel, Quintin, and Quintin's girlfriend (who got no bonus points but liked it so much she wants to go with Quintin to the area contest).