By Brendon James/reporter

Two NE Campus students placed in the top four of the Cowtown Texas Two-Step Forensic Speech Competition on Jan. 24-27.

Teams of students from two-year and four-year universities competed on NE Campus.

“Students get the opportunity to learn how to communicate with others and how to network,” said Justin Blacklock, head coach of the NE speech forensics team and speech instructor. “They apply what they have learned in classes and use those communication skills in the competitions and business world.”

Limited prep events include impromptu and extemporaneous speaking. In impromptu speaking students are given three quotes and two minutes to come up with a two-minute speech.

NE student Priscilla Hatcher competed for the third year and earned second place in program oral interpretation. She placed fourth in the same category on the second day.

“While it can be challenging, there are also many benefits that students can obtain by taking part in this event,” she said. “It can be intimidating competing against other schools, but it is also a lot of fun meeting so many new people from other colleges and getting the opportunity to travel to other colleges hosting the event.”

Hatcher’s winning topics included people from the millennial generation being too concerned with themselves and young women’s self-esteem deteriorating because of what the media presents.

NE student Autumn Sprabary, who has been a part of the team for the past two years, placed third in the poetry interpretation.

“This event is a great way to get over your fear of public speaking, and this competition can teach you how to speak well in front of an audience,” she said.

The NE Speech Forensics team will travel to Central Texas College for a state tournament Feb. 7-9.