C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest

About the contest

Each participant steps to the lectern to deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech on their chosen topic relating to peace, in a universal or specific context, including war and violence, political policies, agencies of justice and peace, peacemaking strategies or current events. The addresses are judged on originality, the integration of topic and a peace position and general standards of delivery.

Participants compete for cash prizes and the top winner may enter the U.S./Canada Mennonite Central Committee-sponsored C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest. The trust of C. Henry Smith, a Mennonite historian and professor at Goshen and Bluffton (Ohio) colleges, funds the contest, which gives students an opportunity to become involved with the peace cause while cultivating rhetorical skills. Speech contests have been part of Goshen College's history since the early 1900s; the C. Henry Smith contest allows the campus community to hear more about relevant, contemporary issues.

2007-08

Contest winner

Senior art major Nicole Boyd (Goshen, Ind.) won first place for her speech, "The loss of a childhood: A call to action on pursuing the end of child labor."  Read press release.

Runner Up

Jacob Kraybill, (Lancaster, Pa.) a first-year communication major, won second place for his speech, "Unpacking the issues:  Gay marriage in America."