I’ve been a speech judge for about three years, and this is probably one of my favorite oratories - and as a former oratory competitor myself, you sure make this look easy. It is also great educational footage to show someone new to oratory what a high skill level looks like. From a technical perspective, the way you walk across the stage and then return to your first point after your “thank you” joke in the introduction is very well executed and a clever way to move in your space while still staying within your introduction area. Your vocal quality, energy and tone is all at a very high level and it’s impressive how calm you are as you pull this all off. The ending is emotionally powerful and very real, and solid pauses that add depth, and loved the humor throughout. I wanted to be sure to note for everyone that this is what oratory looks like at a top competitive level. This is up there as one of my all time favorite oratories. Thank you for posting for all to see.
Headed to Nats ‘23 for Oratory in a couple months and I’m still getting chills from this even though I’ve seen it like 6 times. So good man, you are an inspiration
As a middle school coach, thank you for posting your Original Oratory on RU-vid that is fabulous, performed flawlessly, informative, complex, yet on a topic that I can actually, per district restrictions, show my 6th graders. You did a wonderful job, and while not your coach, as a former competitor myself, I'm proud of you.
I’m preparing for my first ever speech competition and I’m finishing up writing my original oratory and this has me crying. The ending was powerful and makes me feel for all the seniors on my team.
I can't believe I didn't think to ask about this before, but question... Did any judge take your opening joke literally and start to call out your time before you returned?
