A group of nine smiling students stands on a stage holding trophies, certificates, and oversized checks after a speech competition awards ceremony. Two large presentation screens in the background read "participants and winners!" and display branding from the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University. The students appear proud and happy, celebrating their achievements on April 8, 2025. — The participants of the third-annual Oklahoma State University Speech Night.

OSU hosts third annual Speech Night

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

On April 8, the Student Union theater was filled with students, faculty and families supporting Oklahoma State University's third annual Speech Night.

Nine students came on stage and presented their informative or persuasive speeches after making it through a semifinal round with 38 contestants. The winners were Grayson Smallwood for informative speeches, Kayla Poling for persuasive speeches, and an audience favorite, Trinity Smith.

“I think what it does is help them understand the importance of engaging an audience and helping them feel connected. So, I think people want to be part of it,” said Megan Linsenmeyer on behalf of the OSU speech coordinators. “They want to support people who are willing to put themselves out there and spread messages that impact us for the better.”

Speech Night allows students not only to win scholarships but also to put their skills to the test through real experience. Each speech touched on various topics, like password protection, removing mental health slang from normal conversations and conspiracy theories.

From left: Persuasive speech winner Kayla Poling and informative speech winner Grayson Smallwood.

Poling’s speech, “Turn on the Tap,” persuaded people to be more conscientious about the amount of water used in daily habits and convinced audience members to shorten showers and turn the water off when brushing their teeth. She highlighted how many other countries are not fortunate enough to have easily accessible water all the time.

“I would encourage people looking to pick up a minor of any sort; speech communications is a really great one. Because we communicate with people all the time in our everyday life, and it's more than just public speaking, we're learning about communication all through life,” said Avery Baker, steering committee member and OSU psychology major.

Smallwood discussed the importance of cybersecurity and secure passwords. He showed the audience how to avoid getting passwords hacked and why passwords should be more complicated. He also touched on how hackers discover passwords that aren’t complex.

This was the first year this event had a student steering team, which helped with check-in, gift giveaways and setting up. The event continues to grow and get bigger and bigger, and this year, they were able to give out multiple scholarships and gifts from various Stillwater businesses and donors.

Student involvement catapulted this event to its current position. With more applicants wanting to participate and help support, OSU Speech Night will hopefully continue to grow and expand each year.

Story By: Darby Rains | darby.rains@okstate.edu