Date: April 20, 2011
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

2011 Hyde Park Forum and Speak-Off Winners

Jennifer Evan, Darren Ray, Emily Lundstrom, Dr. Dan Wilbur, assistant professor of Communication, Jason Lewis and Rachael Herbert-Varchetto

WESTVILLE – The 28th Purdue University North Central Hyde Park Forum Public Speaking Contest concluded with Jennifer Evan of Valparaiso, being named winner of the “Speak-Off” competition.

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

Speak-Off winner Evan gave the speech "Eat Your Veggies: Motivations & Benefits of Vegetarianism." Second place went to Darren Ray, of Michigan City, who shared the message “Who Do You Really Vote For?" In third place was Jason Lewis, of Michigan City , with "When The Bell Tolls." Fourth place went to Rachael Herbert-Varchetto, of Knox, with "Illegal Immigration: Slow the Flow."

Overall second place Hyde Park Forum winners were – Thitirat Sriplo, of Hobart, with "Welcome to Thailand;" Tabitha Eggers of Valparaiso, with "Saving the Planet One Sheet at a Time;” Sarah Klettke of Michigan City, with "Our Turn to Deny Health Insurance Companies” and Kevin Tracy of Chesterton with "Is Universal Suffrage Working?"

Overall third place Hyde Park Forum winners were – Meagan Ziller, Valparaiso, "Why America is Not a Christian Nation;" Crystal Kaczmarek of Michigan City, with "Adopt a Best Friend;" Chloe Herrold of LaPorte, with "Having a Career in the Medical Field” and Rachel Patterson of Mishawaka, with "Poverty: Can We Make a Difference?"

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.