Students heard through public speaking exhibition

This past Monday, the ECU School of Communication hosted the seventh annual James Lester Rees Oratorical Exhibition. The exhibition was renamed this year in honor of James Rees, a beloved communication professor who created business and professional communication classes for the school, but passed away last year.

"He greatly looked forward to this event each year," said Pamela Hopkins, a communication professor. "And now we honor his legacy."

Anthony Holsten, the Master of Ceremonies, introduced the exhibition's guest speaker, Allan Hoffman of WNCT-TV.

Holsten captivated the audience with stories about the power of words.

"Words are used to enlighten, entertain and impress others," said Holsten. "John Rees simply understood how to use words--like a scalpel in the hands of an experienced surgeon."

His speech led to the theme of the exhibition, "How it could be …"

"This exhibition celebrates public speaking as a powerful skill," Holsten said.

Seven ECU students used their voices on a variety of issues.

Whitney Sessoms, an upcoming graduate, took to the stage with "Keep Moving Forward and You Will Succeed." She spoke passionately about struggling for success and its rewards.

"Success is a choice, not a guarantee; encourage yourself," said Sessoms. "Move forward and you will succeed."

Tyler Brewer, a communication major, presented "Not Just a Problem of Race." He spoke of racial inequality and its effect on the economy today.

"It is an immediate problem that will require social, societal and economical change," said Brewer. "It is stronger now than in previous years, but we can fix it together."

Melanie Houston, a senior biochemistry major, directed her attention toward another concern in her speech, "Childhood Obesity & Epidemic."

She explained the life-threatening risks of childhood obesity and offered practical solutions, such as increasing one's knowledge of healthy behaviors and making an active effort to increase physical activity.

"If proposed solutions are adopted as a foundation, fewer children will have to deal with the consequences," said Houston.

Danielle Daley, a sophomore business management major, took a strong stand in her speech, "War against Women." She informed the audience of the sexual violence occurring against women in the Congo and urged listeners to visit womenforwomen.com and spread the word about these crimes.

"I have a responsibility to educate others," said Daley. "Choosing to be advocates can make a difference in their lives and others."

Matt Hearne, a sophomore communication major, urged bilingualism in his speech, "Hablar, Parler, Hanasu: To Speak."

"Our community is becoming a global community," said Hearne.

Hearne proposed that high schools should require students to take up to four years of a foreign language in order to lift the language barriers and improve the relationships between foreign communities.

Toni Riddle, a senior communication major, discussed the effects an economic depression could have on higher education in her speech, "The Reality of a Depression."

She emphasized the reality of overcrowded classrooms and lower financial aid if a depression were to occur.

"Depression can ruin the hopes and dreams of higher education," said Riddle. "Realize what higher education means to us; stop depression from killing our dreams."

Lastly, Darrell Purcell, a sophomore communication and theatre education major advocated toward the arts in his speech, "Save the Arts."

"Something has to be done to save the arts in the public schools," said Purcell.

He urged the audience to create awareness for the arts and to look for more cost-effective ways to incorporate arts into the school system.

The exhibition ended when all seven participants were presented with a plaque from the School of Communication in honor of their ability to spread the word about issues with powerful public speaking.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.