PNC Announces Hyde Park Forum and Speak-Off Winners

WESTVILLE – The 24th Purdue University North Central Hyde Park Forum Public Speaking Contest concluded with Cameron Kelly-Johnson, of Portage, being named winner of the “Speak-Off” competition.

The Hyde Park Forum brings together students who present short speeches on various topics of current interest. Many participants are students in PNC’s Communication 114 class.

This was the fifth year that Hyde Park Forum’s first-place winners were brought together for the Speak-Off to compete for cash awards
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Speak-Off winner Kelly-Johnson gave the speech entitled, “The STD You Never Knew You Had" and explored the topic of the HPV vaccine. First runner up was Anfani Okosun, of Michigan City, who spoke about “Environmental Issues.” Second runner up was Morgan Hubbard, of Valparaiso, who addressed "Working Ourselves to Death!" Honorable mention went to Jacqueline Thomas, Valparaiso, with "Sale of Lives" about human trafficking.

Overall second place Hyde Park Forum winners were – Tiffonee Turner, LaPorte, "An Easy Way Out;” Misty Coleman, Portage, "A Home of Steel;" Fred Butler, Portage, "Help Support the Middle Class;” Christine Rumbaugh, Michigan City, "AmeriCorps VISTA"

Overall third place Hyde Park Forum winners were – Rachel Fickle, Hebron, "Animals Cry Too;" Maria Burkart, New Carlisle, "Loving a Pet can Make you Healthier;" Lisa Rosenkranz, LaCrosse, "Get Involved!" Annette McFarland, LaPorte, "Somebody Loves You."

The Hyde Park Forum and Speak-Off are loosely based on London’s Hyde Park, a public gathering place for speakers who wish to state their minds. Hyde Park has gained prominence as a reference to freedom of speech and intriguing speaking.

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