Student’s speech reaps $2,500 prize
By Emma Galle
LOGOS STAFF WRITER
For the past 10 years, a University of the Incarnate Word professor who teaches speech has been hoping one of his students would enter a major Fiesta-related speech contest.
Well, this year one did. And for her trouble, communication arts major Lebone Mohloane placed second in the 99th Annual Battle of Flowers Oratorical Contest – winning a $2,500 scholarship, along with $1,500 for the sponsoring Department of Communication Arts.
Dr. Trey Guinn, an associate professor who also serves as program director for the department, helped Mohloane with refining and rehearsing her speech. He said they spent many hours across several meetings thoroughly reviewing everything before the Feb. 23 contest at Witte Museum.
The oratorical contest -- held annually since 1926 -- is the oldest college-level forensic competition in the state. Participants come from all over the state. This year, Mohloane was the only contestant from San Antonio.
A transfer from San Antonio College who was active in speech circles, Mohloane said when she first heard about the contest, she knew she wanted to enter. As the contest theme this year was “Chiseled in Stone -- Iconic Texas Architecture,” the South Africa native said she wasn’t sure what architecture to write her speech about. She said she knew she wanted to choose something from San Antonio, but didn’t want to go the typical route of the Alamo or the Tower of Americas. She finally settled on the Hilton Palacio del Rio on the Riverwalk.
The hotel is a 485-room, 21-story, hacienda-style hotel that opened in 1968. The hotel, constructed for the 1968 World’s Fair was designed by Cerna & Garza Architects. The structure is notable for being a milestone in the use of modular-building construction techniques.
Mohloane and Guinn were at the Witte nearly all day, going through two rounds of the competition. In the first round, Mohloane presented her speech to a panel of judges who decided she would make it to the second and final round where she would have to speak before a new panel of judges.
“Everybody there was mesmerized by Lebone,” Guinn said. “Everyone was walking up and asking me, ‘Who is this incredible student?’ ”
Reportedly, Mohloane is the first student from UIW to participate in the oratorical contest -- and place. She said she enjoys public speaking and debate tournaments. When she came to UIW, she said she made it her goal to start a team and take part in contests.
“I was really happy that I tried something new, and it worked out,” Mohloane said. “I was very happy with second place. If students want to do (the contest), they should go for it. It pushes you outside of your comfort zone to try new things and practice your public-speaking skills.”
Having Guinn’s feedback and support were important to her, Mohloane said, adding she didn’t want her speech to be boring. Guinn helped her add a little flair, she said.
“Anything worth doing will require effort, determination, hard work, and discipline,” Guinn said. “The oratory contest demands that people put forth those qualities, but the reward is great. Not just the cash reward, but the pride in knowing that you accomplished something.”