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A Nation at 250: Virginia Student Oratory Contest

A Nation at 250: Virginia Student Oratory Contest

Mary Kate Cary, Eric Schnure, Brandon Velez

 

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence this year, undergraduate students from two- or four-year colleges and universities across Virginia are competing in an oratory contest to determine the most persuasive argument. All speeches center on the prompt “Tell the story of a Virginian who embodies the Declaration of Independence.” 

Finalists deliver their five-minute speeches to a bipartisan panel of former White House speechwriters at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA. The winner will receive a $500 prize.

Student Finalists

  • Gerald Ahmetaj, University of Virginia, Junior, Commerce 
  • Christin Duval, University of Virginia, Freshman, Public Policy and Leadership 
  • William Freestone, Regent University, Senior, Film and Television 
  • Rebecca Fuchs, College of William & Mary, Senior, Public Policy and Environmental Science/Sustainability 
  • Nolan Hite, University of Virginia, Sophomore, Commerce 
  • Alexis Paraschiv, College of William & Mary, Freshman, Government 
  • Jason Zheng, College of William & Mary, Senior, Public Policy and Sociology, Concentration in Crime, Law, and Power 

Hosted by UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy, UVA250, and the UVA Office of the President in partnership with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and VA250.

Speakers

MKCary_headshot

Mary Kate Cary

Former Speechwriter, George H. W. Bush

Assistant Vice President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Strategic Initiatives, UVA

Mary Kate Cary is a former White House speechwriter for President George H. W. Bush. She has written speeches for a variety of corporate and political clients, as well as TED Talks, State of the Union responses, and dozens of commencement addresses. She has taught political speechwriting at the University of Virginia. 

Eric Schnure's headshot

Eric Schnure

Former Speechwriter, Vice President Al Gore

Executive Communications Strategist and Adjunct Professor of Public Communication, American University

Eric Schnure is a former White House speechwriter who advises CEOs and global organizations on transforming complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives. He coauthored The Political Speechwriter’s Companion, used worldwide by professional communicators. Schnure lectures and conducts workshops on leadership communication, storytelling, persuasion, and executive presence, serving clients including Google, IBM, GE, Airbus, and the World Bank. Former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, he is an adjunct professor at American University and serves on the advisory council of the Professional Speechwriters Association.

Brandon Velez's headshot

Brandon Velez

Former Speechwriter, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg 

Vice President, CEO Executive Communications and Strategy, Moody's

Brandon Velez is a speechwriter and policy advisor at Moody's, where he supports the CEO in developing his communications platform to advance the company's business priorities. A seasoned political speechwriter, he has written for former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine. Earlier in his career, he advised clients at Penta Group, a leading global public affairs consultancy, on regulatory and reputational issues in financial services, tech, and health care. Across every sector he has worked in, Velez has held one conviction: the right words, delivered with intention, can move people to think, feel, and act differently.