The Dannis B. Eaton Speech Competition is an annual event held by the Fundamentals of Speech Program in the College of Communication and Media. Each fall we invite the campus to address a topic that asks all Montclair State University students to ponder current events, and propose visions and solutions to the problems and questions that are confronting our society today. The topic for the 2025 competition is My Home.
The competition speeches can be informative or persuasive and should be 6-8 minutes in length.
The topic of “My Home” should be addressed in some way. Some possible speech topics to consider:
- A Physical Dwelling: It is the literal structure you live in, which provides shelter and a base for your life.
- A Place of Belonging and Identity: Home is where you feel a profound sense of connection, familiarity, and acceptance.
- A Source of Security and Safety: It’s a refuge where you can retreat from the outside world, feel protected, and find peace.
- An Emotional Sanctuary: Home is where you can be authentic, free from judgment, and experience love, comfort, and happiness.
- A Stable Foundation: It can represent a stable base for your life, allowing you to look toward the future and pursue your goals.
- A Place of Memories: Home is often a location filled with cherished memories, a place where life blossoms and love is shared.
A “home” goes beyond just bricks and mortar; it’s a feeling, a concept, and a sanctuary that is unique to each individual.
Students must register for the Qualifying Round by emailing Public Speaking Resource Center consultant Amanda Saintina at saintinaa1@montclair.edu.
You are required to provide a preview of your intended speech. Judges will consider delivery and content when selecting the six competitors. Do your best to deliver your preview with no presentation notes. You should not read your presentation to the judges. Your speech can be either informative or persuasive and be 1-2 minutes in length.
The Qualifying Round to select six finalists will occur October 15 from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in Morehead 214. Starting at 2 p.m., a student will be scheduled every five minutes to present their 1-2 minute preview (For instance, 3 p.m., 3:05 p.m., 3:10 p.m, and so on). You can book your presentation time with speech consultant, Amanda, via this link: https://calendly.com/saintinaa1-montclair/new-meeting.
The main event will be held 6-7:30 pm in the Presentation Hall of the CCOM building at a date to be announced! The five finalists will present their 6-8 minute speech at the public event. Winners will be announced at the end of the competition!
Winners will receive an Amazon gift card:
First Place: $100 Amazon gift card
Second Place: $75 Amazon gift card
Third Place: $50 Amazon gift card
Students are encouraged to visit the Public Speaking Resource Center for assistance preparing for the competition. The speech consultants can help you develop not only the performative aspects of your speech but also the content. Your speech should contain a clear thesis and transitions among the main points of the body. It is also important to note that the expectation is that the speech will be extemporaneous (meaning you DO NOT read your speech). Presentation notes are permitted but should be minimal. Our speech consultants can also assist you in deciding if any visual aids are appropriate and how they should be incorporated into the speech.
2024- My Phone
First Place– Maya Roberson
Second Place– Ezra King Del Toro
Third Place– Jordan Lester
2023 – My Food
First Place – Dianna Paul
Second Place – Vlad Nita
Third Place – Hannah Copeland
2022 – My Vote
First Place – Emma Haskell
Second Place – Aamani Jenkins
Third Place – Anthony Foster
2019 – My Earth
First Place – Sam Carliner
Second Place – Giovanna Da Silva Pagungue
Third Place – Kenny Slaman
You can listen to the 2019 competitors’ speeches (Carley Campbell, Sam Carliner, Francis Churchill, Giovanna Da Silva Pagungue, and Kenny Slaman) on WMSC’s SoundCloud account.
2018 – My Community
First Place – Kennedy Royal (Sophomore, Family Science and Human Development)
Second Place – Patrick Farley (Freshman, Television and Digital Media)
Third Place – Margaret Moutis (Senior, Communication Studies)
2017 – My Stamp
First Place – Crystal Wright (Freshman, Musical Theater Makeup Artistry)
Second Place – Tiffany Baskerville (Junior, Journalism)
Third Place – Tori Murry (Freshman, Communication Studies)