Five Bluffton University seniors will compete in the university's annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, in Yoder Recital Hall. The event 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:
. Rachel Giovarelli, last year's winner from Wauseon, Ohio, on "Finding Peace in Our Differences: Reconnecting as the Body of Christ";
. Jennifer Arnold from Fort Wayne, Ind., on "Stranger/Neighbor: The Christian Call to Welcome Refugees";
. Eli Tracy from Continental, Ohio, on "Storytelling as Peacemaking: Knowing Truth and Living as if It Were So";
. Katie Wineland from Gibsonburg, Ohio, on "Speaking a True Wor(l)d: Proclamation as Peacebuilding";
. Alexander Woodring from Sherwood, Ohio, on "Ethical Peace Persuasion: Speaking for Peace in a Fallen World."
The winner will qualify for a binational contest with winners from other North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ institutions. Giovarelli placed third in that contest last year.
