Flagler’s COM department holds annual speech competition

By Zoe Sherman

Communication Week 2024 (better known by students as “Com Week”) marked the fifth annual speech competition, where students put it all on the line for a chance at victory. 

The speech competition was held in the student center. Students and professors alike gathered to witness the competitors’ talents.  

Students that entered delivered a 3-5 minute speech responding to this year’s prompt – Beyond the Paycheck: Defining Your Personal and Professional Value.

The prizes this year were $150 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third. Those that placed were also given a miniature Henry Flagler statue. 

The winners of this year’s competition were Ashley Chatmon for first place, Izzy Swyt for second place and Jay Hawkins for third place.

Several students competed, including Kendall Greco. She had attended competitions in the past and decided to push herself to enter into this year’s competition. 

“I felt very nervous giving my speech. The president of the college and some of my professors were there, so I didn’t want to disappoint anyone or look like a complete idiot. Once I got a rhythm while I was speaking, I got more confidence,” Greco said.

Greco spoke about what qualities she looks for in a workplace and not wanting to have to work her life away. 

“I mentioned that while this speech is about looking beyond the paycheck, money is still important to me because I want to feel financially stable,” Greco said.

The judges of the competition included Dr. Kristine Warrenburg-Rome, President John Delany, Ellen Walden and PRSSA president Cam Buttrick. 

Buttrick was excited to be a part of the event. She was the only student on the judges panel. 

“The experience was really cool. I feel like students aren’t often invited to judge things like that so it was a really cool career experience,” Buttrick said. 

Buttrick added a piece of advice for future competitors, urging them to express themselves.

“Find what makes you or your story stand out and base your speech from there. Judges want to see what makes you…you,” Buttrick said. 

Ashley Chatmon’s speech won first place in the competition. The senior shared that the idea behind their speech was heavily based on their personal life. 

“I’ve been very existential lately. I am graduating soon, I’m going through a lot of transitions in my personal life, there are some really deplorable things happening in the world and in Florida,” Chatmon said.

Chatmon explained how they work very closely in public education, and with diversity, equity and inclusion. They also discussed their senior thesis on the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, a grassroots nonprofit working to fight back against racist and state violence.

“Over the course of working on that documentary there was a fatal hate crime that occurred in Jacksonville, which is my hometown,” Chatmon said.

Chatmon gave insight on how everything going on in their life led to the inspiration of their speech. 

“Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about change and death. So when I saw the question how do you measure value, that’s what was on my mind. In the context of being in this existential, I wont say crisis, but reordering or reprioritization, there was no other answer but love and connection,” Chatmon said.

The themes of love and connection radiated through the speech and earned Chatmon first place. 

“My parents are lifelong public educators, I’m a substitute teacher and I work with nonprofits. I am acutely aware that success for me is not going to be measured in dollars, so I took that approach to the prompt,” Chatmon said.

Chatmon’s advice to future participants was an encouraging message.

“Be true to yourself, be true to your beliefs, let your words be inspired by the people you love and admire. Your passion will come through. Don’t let the words you choose be based on trying to win. Let them be based on what is truly weighing on your heart.”