Speech writing and publication
From October 2014 until November 2016, I was a member of JMU's competitive Individual Events Public Speaking team. Through this, with the help of my coaches, I researched and wrote 9.5 minute speeches in various categories, including persuasion and informative. I also developed a performance poetry piece, exploring exploitation and empowerment in circus freakshows. Additionally, I competed in extemporaneous, writing and performing a 7 minute speech with 30 minutes to prepare on a designated topic in economics and politics.
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I was published in the 2015 edition of "Winning Orations of the Interstate Oratorical Association" with a transcript of my award-winning speech, "Panhandling Bans." In this piece I utilized persuasive rhetoric to emphasize the need to decriminalize homelessness.
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Representing the state of Virginia at a national persuasion competition!
Picture day with the Duke Dog!
A candid shot, taken by a teammate, of me outlining a speech in 30 minutes for the extemporaneous event
