Ellis Washington, III

IMMEDIATE DECEMBER 2, 2004

WASHINGTON WINS SPEECH SHOWCASE AT ABAC

TIFTON—Ellis Washington, III, a freshman political science major from Tifton, won the 36^th annual Lew Akin Speech Showcase at Abraham Baldwin College by delivering a persuasive speech on how the Democratic party can return to power.

Washington is a Tift County High School graduate who is a member of the ABAC Ambassadors.

The showcase is named for former ABAC professor Lew Akin and was established in 1969. Akin served as division chair of Humanities from 1975-1991.

The top speaker from each of the Communications 1000 and 1100 classes at ABAC participated in the competition. Twelve students competed in the initial rounds of the contest. Before the final round of speeches, there were three preliminary rounds. The top student from each preliminary advanced to the finals. Approximately 120 persons were in attendance for all the sessions in the showcase.

Each contestant delivered a five to ten minute informative or persuasive presentation that was judged on such criteria as content, organization, evidence, and eye contact. Keith Perry, Instructor of Humanities at ABAC, coordinated the showcase.

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