LSU Shreveport Students Rank at Oldest National Speaking Contest

(Boston, Mass.) LSU Shreveport students Kate Ryland and Chelsea Anthony competed in the 143rd annual Interstate Oratory Championships in Boston, Mass. The IOC is the oldest persuasive speaking contest in the United States, and only the top two speakers from each state qualify.

Kate Ryland, a senior speech communication major, placed 33rd in the competition. Her presentation addressed the resurgence of diseases brought on by parents choosing not to vaccinate or putting off vaccinations for their children and called for an end to exemption laws.

Chelsea Anthony, a junior psychology major, placed 48th in the competition. Her presentation addressed the problem of convenience devocalization of animals and called for a ban on the practice.

The LSU Shreveport delegation also worked to finalize a bid to host the 144th annual competition at LSU Shreveport in 2013.

For more information, please Trey Gibson, the Bradley S. Kemp Professor of Forensics & Debate, at 318-797-5081 or trey.gibson@lsus.edu.