Events

C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest

Umble Center
Streaming

The annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest gives Goshen College students an opportunity to explore peace from a faith perspective, get involved in the cause of peace, test ideas, and cultivate rhetorical skills. Each contestant will deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech on their chosen topic relating to the Christian peace position, in a universal or specific context, including war and violence, political policies, agencies of justice and peace, peacemaking strategies or current events.

About the Contest

2026 Finalists

Finalists are listed in alphabetical order of their last name.

Caoimhe Farrell

Caoimhe is a sophomore communications major with writing and public relations minors. She is part of the women’s track and field team, as well as an international student club leader and Prevention Intervention Network member. When she’s not working, she enjoys trying new sports and eating different kinds of food. She also loves animals and going to the zoo with her friends and family. Caoimhe’s speech mentor is Kortney Stern, assistant professor of English.

Angelica Garcia Ponce

Angelica is a junior social work student and a proud leader of the Latino Student Union. Last summer, she participated in a documentary for Telemundo, the second-largest American Spanish-language television network. This documentary centered around themes of Latino education and the challenges faced in education under the current political climate. She is dedicating her speech to her mother, who has encouraged her to speak up for her community. Angelica’s speech mentor is Julia Schiavone Camacho, professor of history.

Isabel Massud

Isabel is a junior film production major with business and broadcasting minors from Brazil. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer, cooking, watching movies and reading. When she graduates, she hopes to become a media producer and give voice to those who never had a chance to tell their stories. Isabel’s speech mentor is Jessica Baldanzi, professor of English.

Mackenzie Miller

Mackenzie is a junior communication major with minors in music and journalism. She holds leadership positions at The Record and The Globe, is a member of Voices of the Earth and Chamber Choir, is on the Chapel singing team, and is now on leadership for Peace and Justice Collective, which she helped start last fall. Growing up a pastor’s kid, Mackenzie has long enjoyed deep theological and philosophical conversations, which have continued into meaningful conversations with friends and mentors about how to live in the reality we face. Mackenzie’s speech mentor is Moriah Hurst of Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen.

Shalom Solomon Teferi

Shalom is a sophomore biochemistry/molecular biology major and an international student from Ethiopia. She is passionate about healthcare and hopes to become a doctor in the future. Her speech gives a personal perspective on the connection between access to healthcare and building a more just and peaceful world. Shalom’s speech mentor is Duane Stoltzfus, professor of communication.

2026 Judges

Regina Shands Stoltzfus is is a professor at Goshen College whose teaching and scholarship focus on peacebuilding, racial justice, and the lived realities of communities shaped by conflict and resilience. Her work bridges academic research and engaged practice to explore themes such as race, trauma, resistance and reconciliation. Her third book, Resistance, Resilience, and Radical Love: Reflections on Blackness and Teaching Peace (2025), draws on decades of teaching, scholarship and experience to explore how to sustain the work of liberation in a world marked by anti-Blackness and unrelenting injustice.

Allan Rudy-Froese completed his Ph.D. in homiletics (the art and theology of preaching) at the Toronto School of Theology in 2012. His areas of teaching at AMBS include preaching, storytelling, voice, and performance theory. He is also an adjunct professor at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. Allan has been studying voice for 20 years. In the summer of 2023, he graduated as a Designated Linklater Teacher. He weaves voice work into his seminary teaching and into his frequent workshops for preachers, worship leaders, and storytellers. Allan’s research includes the book of Jonah as comedy, swearing (yes, bad words!), and the marvelous nature of the voice in everyday life. He divides his time between Elkhart, Ind., and Kitchener, Ontario where his wife and young adult children live.

Amanda Guzman is a communications professional with a strong foundation in public relations and organizational operations. She brings a holistic approach to messaging, outreach and internal management. In her current role as the marketing and community engagement specialist for Interra Credit Union, she focuses on events, sponsorships and community relations. Her experience spans strategic communications in local government and nonprofit settings, allowing her to combine storytelling, public engagement and operational efficiency. She thrives in mission‑driven environments where communication is clear, people-centered and impactful. In her free time, she’s been learning to quilt.