Brenau University’s College of Business and Communication hosted the fourth annual speech competition this November.
The competition is coordinated by Associate Professor of Communication Anna Deeb, Ph.D. This year, the competition’s prizes were sponsored by the Lutzie 43 Foundation, which contributed $1,750 in scholarships for the winners. The topic this year was “Leadership to Promote Roadway Safety,” in line with Lutzie 43’s mission to end distracted and impaired driving.
“Lutzie 43 Foundation very generously donated the prizes this year, so we had prizes that are higher than usual,” Deeb said. “The biggest prize was audience choice, which was $400, and first place at high school and college levels were $350 each.”
There were 16 entries and 10 finalists for 2025. In the college-level awards, Brenau students Meliy Con-Roma took first place, Victoria Woods took second and Nylah Bright took third. Vanessa Hernandez from Seckinger High School won the top prize for high schoolers. The audience choice winner was Scarlett Palacios, a Brenau senior business major.
“It’s great to see students gaining confidence, winning prizes and being able to go back to their family, friends, and even to future employers and say ‘I did this, and I won a prize,’” Deeb said. “I can’t wait to keep growing this program year after year. I always learn something from our student speeches.”
Cash prizes were awarded for first, second and third place at the college level and the high school level. The event is in partnership with Brenau’s Media Scholars Program, which allows high school students to explore careers in media, and Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society.
