OC student wins inspirational speech competition
This past summer, OC Communications Studies Professor Laura Bourmatnov, encouraged two of her students to participate in a statewide speech competition. Levi Pixton and TeAirra Lawson made their way through preliminary rounds before landing spots in the Statewide Inspirational Speech Championship, at Centralia College on July 23.
Levi, who recounted his mom's resilience and desire to keep moving forward after becoming pregnant at a young age, took home the top prize for his speech. TeAirra, also an All-Washington Academic Team Member, placed in the top five.
According to an article that ran in the Kitsap Sun, TeAirra credits the competition and Professor Bourmatnov's Public Speaking Class for helping to find her voice.
Like Levi, Lawson shared a personal story about her experiences speaking out against racism she experienced at her high school. She recounted a story about a committee she formed, Equity for All, which organized school meetings, assemblies, and Black History Month initiatives.
“I made an impact and I had finally found my voice that had been missing for so many years,” TeAirra during her speech.
Both student credit their time at OC for propelling them on to the next step in their education.
Levi transferred to WSU in the fall to pursue a career in broadcast production.
TeAirra transferred to WWU to pursue multidisciplinary studies, content creation and streaming.
Read the full story in the Kitsap Sun.
Related Stories
