Kallie Kent Wins ETBU Bennett Speech Contest

MARSHALL, Texas (12/04/12)- Kallie Kent, a senior Speech Communication major from Mount Pleasant, Texas is the 2012 winner of the East Texas Baptist University Bennett Speech Contest. The contest was held November 29, 2012 on the ETBU campus.

Kent’s inspirational speech encouraged audience members to rely on God’s faithfulness and be willing to listen to and follow God’s leading in His plan for their lives. She used the personal story of her family and the ways in which God has clearly directed the paths for her and her four sisters that are all students at ETBU. Although attending ETBU was not part of their personal plans, Kent indicated that God clearly showed them that attending ETBU was indeed in His plan for their lives and discussed the ways in which following God’s leading has blessed each one of them. As winner of the annual event Kent will receive a cash award of $100.

Second place in the contest was won by Heather Deville, a senior Chemistry major. Her persuasive speech encouraged listeners to oppose the use of embryonic stem cell research in favor of adult stem cell research. She will receive a $50 cash award.

The third place finisher in the event was Amanda Chafton, a senior Speech Communication major. Her persuasive speech focused on Batman as a cultural icon and the role his humanity has played in the superhero genre of American literature and film. She received a $20 gift card award for her presentation.

The entrants’ speeches were evaluated by a panel of judges chosen by the ETBU Department of Communication Studies. This year’s judges were Dr. Jerry Summers, dean of the ETBU School of Humanities, Cody Finch, a graduate of the ETBU Communication Studies Department and resident director of ETBU’s Mabee Housing Complex, and Anna Lane, director of the Marshall Public Library.

The Howard C. Bennett Award is an annual public speaking contest for graduating seniors endowed by Susan Bennett Livingston in memory of her father. Dr. Bennett served as the president of ETBU from 1960-1976. Livingston was a Speech Communication major at ETBU who is encouraging students to inspire audiences through public speaking to live their lives on a higher plane or to persuade audiences to endorse a policy or course of action. The award is administered by the ETBU Department of Communication Studies and is awarded each fall.