CSM Students Win $500 Scholarships in Public Speaking Competition

Public speaking may be a common fear, but three College of Southern Maryland (CSM) students proved they have what it takes to captivate an audience. As part of the college’s 2025 Public Speaking Competition, students Alanah Mayers and Kayla Kabore were named winners, while Melida Meza earned runner-up honors. Mayers and Kabore each received a $500 scholarship for their outstanding presentations, with funding provided by the Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Center for Leadership.

This year’s competition drew 14 submissions and marked the college’s first public speaking contest since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

 “The talent, dedication, and passion demonstrated by each of you was truly inspiring,” Alyssa Brumis, said CSM assistant professor of English, Communications, and Languages in a message to the participants.

“To all participants, please know how immensely proud we are of each of you. You all showcased remarkable skills in research, organization, and delivery, and you should be incredibly proud of the effort you put forth,” she continued.

“We hope this experience has been a valuable one for you, helping you to further develop your public speaking skills and confidence. We encourage you to continue cultivating these important abilities, as they will serve you well in all aspects of your academic and professional lives,” she said.

Kabore’s winning speech titled, “The Benefits of Music” explored how music contributes to emotional well-being and stress management by triggering the release of dopamine – the brains “feel good” chemical.  

“Music is more than just songs. It adds so much in our lives, shaping our emotions, our experiences, our memories. I cannot imagine a life without music and I’m sure I’m not the only one,” she said. 

Judges noted that the biggest strength of Kabore’s speech was organization, as she effectively used transitions and signposts to guide the audience through her main points, making her speech easy to follow.

Mayers’ speech titled, “Why Climate Change Should be a Public Health Concern” challenged the audience to rethink the health consequences of environmental change.

Climate change is not a far-away concept, affecting only wildlife and the natural environment. Health problems in people are already increasing because of climate change, Mayers said.

Climate change is “already affecting our bodies, our minds, and our futures. Climate change is making people sick and, in some cases, even killing them,” she told the audience.

Judges noted that Mayer’s speech included very strong evidence from credible sources, making her delivery more compelling. Her effective use of the problem-solving organizational structure also made for a powerful performance.

Runner-up Meza also focused on music in her speech, “The Effects of Music,” reflecting on her personal experiences as a lifelong musician and highlighting research on how music affects the brain, emotions, and society. Meza said she has been singing since she was three years old, been playing violin since she was 10, and playing the piano since she was 12.   

Judges said her vocal variety was dynamic and captivating and her speech was well-supported with reliable and credible sources.

Participants were evaluated on four key criteria:

• Organization: including a strong introduction, thesis statement, conclusion, and logical organizational pattern
• Evidence: use of credible sources and including sufficient support
• Verbal Performance: including a vocal variety and speaking at a reasonable speed and volume
• Physical Performance: eye contact and appearance of ease. 

For more information about CSM’s Communication Program, visit: www.csmd.edu/programs-courses/credit/school-of-liberal-arts/communication.html.