By Anna Galaktionov
It’s time to get hyped for the 2022 Stay Woke Speech and Debate Competition! The sixth annual competition will be held in the David Brinkley Studio and broadcast live via YouTube at BTV Channel 14 on Thursday, November 17.
The competition’s theme is Stay Woke, which is defined as remaining “vigilant about one’s place in the world as it relates to policy, government, cultures, and institutions, etc.”
The finalists will take on Stay Woke topics ranging from politics to language to social justice and will argue either FOR or AGAINST their chosen topic.
Here are the topics for this year’s competition:
TOPIC #1 Non-native English speakers should take steps in reducing their native accent.
TOPIC #2 President Biden's student loan relief plan is not equitable.
TOPIC #3 The British monarchy should offer reparations for the injustices made against enslaved and colonized humans around the world.
TOPIC #4 The fast work pace of companies like Amazon is a threat to worker safety.
TOPIC #5 A low-context communication style contributes to a more open and democratic society.
As they present their speeches, the finalists will quote from articles written by the student reporters of The Buccaneer as part of their sources.
The finalists will also answer questions from the audience and from officials like Dr. Mimi Capote, adjunct lecturer for the D. Inez Andreas School of Business.
Lastly, the finalists’ speeches will be weighed by judges Dr. Sean Foreman, chair of the department of history and political science, Dr. Jalane Meloun, professor of administration, Dr. Dale Hartz, assistant professor of management, and Mateo Gomez, former Buccaneer reporter, now-marketing coordinator at the division of enrollment and marketing.
Be sure to attend live or watch online to see which finalists take first, second, and third place!
As the finalists prepare for their speeches, let’s get to know them! To find out what topic and position they will be defending, stay tuned to The Buccaneer’s Instagram account @bu_buccaneer
Daria Didenko
Instagram Handle: @d_dsidenko
Year of Study: Sophomore
Major: International Business
Speech Coach: Dr. Priscilla Jensen
Hometown: Kirovsk, Russia
Hobbies: "Scuba diving, Formula 1, music, hanging out with friends.”
Elizabeth Chavarria
Year of Study: Freshman
Major: Biochemistry
Speech Coach: Dr. Priscilla Jensen
Hometown: Highland, CA
Hobbies: "Cooking, driving, drawing, dancing, singing, and helping others.”
Ethan Brooks
Instagram Handle: @mr_ethan19
Year of Study: Senior
Major: Computer Science with a Minor in Math
Speech Coach: Professor Gina Margillo
Hometown: Managua, Nicaragua
Hobbies: "Reading and talking to whoever is unfortunate enough to be next to me.”
Jalaynna Sparrow
Instagram Handle: @jalaynna221
Year of Study: Freshman
Major: Pre-Nursing
Speech Coach: Professor J. R. Steele
Hometown: Collingswood, NJ
Hobbies: "I am a cheerleader for a school. I've been doing it since I was little.”
Jasser Ferreiro
Instagram Handle: @j.f_707
Year of Study: Sophomore
Major: History with a Minor in Biology
Speech Coach: Professor Michael Shelfer
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: “Playing video games, watching anime, playing my alto sax, reading, going to the gym.”
Kean Huy Alado
Instagram Handle: @_huy.bui_
Year of Study: Freshman
Major: Pre-Nursing
Speech Coach: Professor Michael Shelfer
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Hobbies: “Guitar, volleyball, videogames, editing, diving, skiing, exploring, spending time with friends.”
Michelle Armas
Instagram Handle: @michellearmas
Year of Study: Freshman
Major: Criminology
Speech Coach: Professor J. R. Steele
Hometown: Marco Island, FL
Hobbies: "Reading/writing.”
Isaiah Tuck
Instagram Handle: @isaiah.tuck
Year of Study: Sophomore
Major: Television and Digital Media
Speech Coach: Dr. Priscilla Jensen
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Hobbies: "I'm a freelance videographer and video editor.”
Jailene Cintron
Year of Study: Senior
Major: Biology
Speech Coach: Professor Tiffani Knowles
Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Hobbies: "I like to read.”