Five Bluffton University students will compete in the university's annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Yoder Recital Hall. The event, which also includes a reception, is free and open to the public.
Participating students give a speech of no more than 10 minutes that applies the Christian peace position to an issue of contemporary concern. This year's presenters, and their speech titles, are:
- Brandi Dominique, a first-year student from Wauseon, Ohio, on "Who Said America was an Obese Country? Hunger in America"
- Jonathan Fowler, a first-year student from Cincinnati, Ohio, on "Economic Lockout: The Failures of Capitalism in the Third World"
- Rachel Giovarelli, a junior from Wauseon, on "The Last Mile: Finding Peace without Ending Life"
- Brent Schroeder, a sophomore from Continental, Ohio, on "The Power of the Word: Language and Oppression"
- Katie Wineland, a junior from Bowling Green, Ohio, on "Criminal Injustice: Collateral Consequences and the Gospel of Reconciliation."
The winner will earn a $175 cash prize, while the runner-up will receive $125 and the third-place finisher, $100. The top placer also qualifies for a bi-national contest with winners from other North American Mennonite colleges. In that contest, prizes are $250 for first place, $150 for second and $75 for third.
