Central Florida Students Participate in World Speech Day 2024

World Speech Day 2024 in central Florida was held the last three weeks. Students at the Daytona State college DeLand and Deltona campuses presented speeches on the topic, “Ideas for a better world.” Santiago Avila, Mayor of Deltona presented Professor Reed Markham with a World Speech Day proclamation.

The following central Florida students presented speeches: Eli Alexander, Jacob Escandell, Gavin Hammond, Ethan Joubert, Courtney Martin, Josh Oelschlager, Payton Smith, Maggie Walston, Alexandra Cervantes, Charis Crowe, Jacob Forsythe, Avery Krowl, Maleah Parker, Serenity Parker, Janisse Ramos, Ethan Ratkiewicz, Samantha Camargo, Kimyah Charles, Kensey Derstine, and Milan Green.

According to Simon Gibson, Founder of World Speech Day, “In the face of so much turmoil, uncertainty, and hardship, public speaking can be utilized to search for and share ideas for a new beginning, a new harmony that can help us explore new paths to a better world.”

Simon Gibson launched World Speech Day at the Athens Democracy Forum in 2015. The idea came from Simon’s work in establishing a free database for contemporary and historical speeches. During this work, it became clear that speeches change the world, socially, politically, in the arts, business, and religion. They play a profound role in holding our societies together and shaping change. The plan was to form a day to celebrate speeches and speech making through live public speaking events worldwide, reaching out to #unexpectedvoices everywhere.

In the last nine year more than 100 nations have been involved in World Speech Day. Schools, universities, speakers’ clubs, think tanks, community groups, companies, NGOs, all holding meetings in classrooms, auditoriums, community halls, even cafes, proving the unique power of speeches to explore new ideas.

For more information contact, Reed Markham, USA Ambassador, Global Advisory Board and Associate Professor, Communication Department at Daytona State College, DeLand, Florida, reed_markham@daytonastate.edu