Cash awards ranging from $1,000 to to $100 were given to the six finalists. Ben Greiving of Florida College was awarded 1st Place and was given the top cash prize of $1,000. Danielle Holbrook of Florida State University was awarded 2nd prize and $700 followed by Erin Gallagher of Stetson University who came in 3rd and was awarded $500.
The final three awards were given to Tom Gay of Tallahassee Community College (4th place, $300), Jason Todd of the University of West Florida (5th place, $200), and Adrienne Dwyer of Nova Southeastern University (6th place, $100).
The competition is co-sponsored by the Department of Communications and the Claude Pepper Foundation to encourage talented orators in speech-making, delivery, and oratory. The topic for this year's competition was health care and prescription drug legislation and the regional competitions were held between students at Florida State University, Florida College, Stetson University, Tallahassee Community College, the University of West Florida, and Nova Southeastern University. The final round was held at 11 a.m.today in the Broad Auditorium at the Claude Pepper Center.
