(Photo by: Aubrey May)

How many of you have taken public speaking just because it was required for your major? For those of you who have or are currently taking it, you have the potential to earn some money from it.

The Stine Speaking Showcase is an end-of-semester showcase sponsored by the Communication Studies Department, highlighting students from COMS 121 Public Speaking courses. Communications Studies Chair and Professor Terri Easley-Giraldo helps coordinate the showcase.

“In April of 2024, we resurrected the showcase and renamed it the Stine Speaking Showcase in honor of Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard Stine, who taught at JCCC for more than 30 years. [He] is featured on the Wall of Honor and founded the debate team,” Easley-Giraldo said.

The Communications Studies Department has been hosting a showcase on and off for the last 15 years. The spring of 2024 is the first time they have held it since COVID.

“The purpose is to showcase our top students in public speaking and allow them an opportunity to present to larger and different audiences,” Easley-Giraldo said.

There are many special things about this year’s showcase, with it being the first year that JCCC’s president will be on the final round judge panel. The panel will also contain a husband and wife judge duo.

“This semester, we have the largest number of prelimination round participation from students, so this is the largest showcase we have hosted,” Easley-Giraldo said. “And we have the largest scholarship amount for this showcase than we have ever had, thanks to department funding coupled with the JCCC Foundation.”

According to Easley-Giraldo, students will participate in two rounds, and the top five students will move on to the final round. Each of the students in the top five will be awarded scholarships based on their placing. This year, our prize amounts are:

1st place – $1,000

2nd place – $700

3rd place – $400

4th place – $200

5th place – $200

Now, how exactly do you get to participate in the showcase? Well, students are nominated to participate by the public speaking class they are enrolled in.

“It can vary how students are selected depending on the class, so it could be the instructor [who] picks the top performing student, or maybe the class votes on the student they want to nominate.  But each instructor is allowed to submit one name per section to participate in the prelimination rounds,” Easley-Giraldo said.

Students can learn valuable skills, according to Easley-Giraldo. The first-time students deliver their speeches in front of their class, then in front of the Communication Studies Faculty. The final five are then brought in front of a more diverse audience and a new panel of judges.

“The showcase gives students an opportunity to apply the skills they’ve learned in larger and different settings. It encourages reflection, creativity and audience awareness, which are central to strong communication. They get valuable experience in managing their nerves, engaging the audience and adapting their message, which reinforces everything they’ve learned and practiced in  the public speaking class,” Easley-Giraldo said.

Macie Dye, a student at JCCC, took public speaking because it was a requirement for her degree. From it, she has learned to be clearer in her intentions and delivery in her interactions with larger audiences.

“I chose public speaking over interpersonal communications because I wanted the exposure to talking to groups,” Dye said. “I was nervous to speak, but ready for the experience and to get comfortable.”

Dye explained she does not want to participate in the showcase because she would be too anxious, but she sees the value in the event.

“[The showcase] adds to the community, makes people more comfortable with one another,” Dye said. “It also allows more variation in showcasing all kinds of talents, public speaking included.”

Easley-Giraldo described how the biggest misconception when it comes to public speaking is the idea that you have to be perfect and have no nerves at all. What really matters, she says, is how you organize your ideas, engage your audience and project confidence.

“In reality, effective communication is about getting your message across clearly and engaging with your audience. Feeling nervous is completely normal, and even experienced speakers or their own COMS professors get butterflies.”

Easley-Giraldo hopes that students will have fun while also getting to showcase the skills they have learned in their public speaking classes in front of new audiences.

“While we do value technical public speaking skills, we also celebrate creativity and authenticity, which allows students to bring their own perspective and voice to their presentations,” Easley-Giraldo said. “Ultimately, the showcase demonstrates the growth of our students as public speakers, but also acknowledges the courage it takes to present in larger audiences.”