An Exercise In Communication: The Delaney Speech Contest

By: Tori Manuel

For many such as myself, the thought of speaking in front of a crowd can be daunting to imagine. However, the art of public speaking is not a skill exclusive to just one major, and anyone can benefit from consistent practice. Thankfully, an opportunity to do just that has arrived in the form of an ongoing tradition taking place on April 11th at 1:00 pm, right here in our auditorium.

The Delaney Speech Contest earned its title from Francis Delaney who, according to our St. Francis College news site, “made it his mission to ‘cure’ St. Francis students of their Brooklyn accents and to help them get ahead in their careers.” While this mission originated in the 1950s and 60s, today this same event still pays homage to the art of speech and its importance in both professional and everyday life.

“My husband, Dr. Edward Setrakian, took on the reins and ran it for many, many years… over 35 years,” said writer, producer, and St. Francis College professor, Dr. Kathryn Grant who is currently working hard to promote the value of this tradition as “a celebration of formalized public speaking.”

Cultivating Communication

“In one of my public speaking courses, I found that students were having difficulty just talking to each other… I had to say ‘stay out there, stay in the space of the discomfort,’” Dr. Grant remarked. “And I think the pandemic has gotten us out of sync with the idea of connecting with people.”

Although it seems as if quite some time has passed since the initial Covid-19 lockdowns, lingering effects on our communication habits have persisted for quite some time after. Casual face-to-face interactions with new people became more of a daunting task than ever before, causing many of us to want to retreat to the occasionally constraining safety of our comfort zones. However, starting this year, Dr. Grant is introducing a new element that will help contestants recapture their ability to be forthcoming, open, and natural when forming connections.

“This year I’m putting up an impromptu speech category…,” Grant announced. “I’ll be delivering a prompt, you’ll have two minutes to prepare, and then get up and talk for two minutes.” This is also critical for participating in group discussions, we don't prepare, we rely on the stored information we have and we have a lot,” She then added.

This category is excellent practice for those who aim to lessen their reliance on complete memorization and preparation that may not always be offered during a spur of the moment situation. While preparation is always beneficial, it is also essential to build confidence and reliance on spontaneous delivery, which can enhance your overall sense of adaptability.

Along with the impromptu speech, there is also the extemporaneous speaking category. The topic for this speech can be expressed in either a persuasive or informative manner, based on research.

“Students are welcome to recycle speeches that they’ve created and delivered in the past. But that speech is researched, rehearsed, composed, and delivered using an outline or notes,” Grant expressed. “No matter how much you prepare there’s an audience you should connect with.”

Fostering Confidence

That reminder of the audience’s presence can once again feel intimidating, however, it's important not to succumb to the overwhelming fear of making a mistake, slipping up, or falling victim to embarrassment.

“I think everybody has a really unrealistic expectation of themselves. Most people are not expecting perfection and are very happy to see people be real in front of them,” Grant pointed out. “So the idea of perfection is a real killer, you want to get rid of that.”

Once successfully overcoming nerves and reaching a satisfactory amount of preparation, there are several awards to aim for.

“The audience choice award allows the audience to vote for anyone who speaks impromptu or extemporaneous, that’s $100,” Grant explained. “For the impromptu speech, that’s another $100 according to the judges’ choice. The extemporaneous speech will be $300 first place, $200 second place, and $100 third place.”

In addition to five cash prizes, the event also introduces an opportunity to impress future employers as a resume-worthy asset.

“All business owners want people that have good communication skills,” She added. “Many business owners have connections to St. Francis, and many of them know about the Delaney Speech Contest.”

The event takes place Thursday, April 11th, from 1:00-2:00pm in the auditorium. If you are interested in taking a shot at the iconic tradition, register here!

Or feel free to email Dr. Kathryn Grant with any further questions at kgrant@sfc.edu.

As a final message from Dr. Grant, quoted from singer Grace Jones, “Scary but fun, take a chance in life you have one.”