Students turn knack for public speaking into college cash
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The 41st annual Odell and Virginia Williamson Oratory Scholarship Competition was held at Brunswick Community College on Thursday, May 3, 2012. Eight seniors representing North Brunswick, South Brunswick, West Brunswick, and Early College High School competed for top honors.
Congratulations to Christina Marie Tolley, SBHS and James Daniel White, ECHS! Tolley and White both walked away with $2,500 scholarships and engraved plaques! Presenting the awards were Michael and Heather Borton of the Williamson family. All 8 participants advancing from the school competition to the county competition received an attractive framed certificate and check for $100.00.
The following students competed in the county competition:
- Joseph Riley Denman (NBHS)--"The Illusion of an Institution"
- Taylor Elizabeth Benson (NBHS)--"Wouldn't You Want to Know?"
- Erin Brooke Phelps (ECHS)--"Retaining the Resurrection"
- James Daniel White (ECHS)--"My Houseguest, Cancer"
- Christina Marie Tolley (SBHS)--"Society's Serial Killer"
- Kenneth Casey Shadid (SBHS)--"Abused by Alcohol"
- Megan Elayne Mauldin (WBHS)--"Filling in the Blanks: What School Really Teaches"
- Jacob Hamilton Hill (WBHS)--"Capacity for Evil"
Serving as Master of Ceremonies was Mike Sapp, Director of the Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College and a theatre professional.
Judges included Donald Byrum, former Director of the School of Art and Design at Wichita State University and Brunswick Arts Council Board Member; Dr. David Corley, retired secondary director and principal for Brunswick County Schools; Tiffany Fullwood, Assistant Clerk of Superior Court for Brunswick County; MaryAnn Nunnally, retired principal and former New Hanover County Board of Education member; and Dr. Edward Pruden, Superintendent of Brunswick County Schools.
