Pictured from left are Ethan Yannie and Nelson Rosario. Both students represented Dunkirk High School in a public speaking competition at JCC.

Mrs. Donna Pucciarelli, instructor of the DHS/JCC College Connections Public Speaking class, is proud to announce that Nelson Rosario and Ethan Yannie represented Dunkirk High School at the 7th Annual JCC Public Speaking Contest.

The contest was held at Jamestown Community College’s Jamestown Campus on April 10. A total of 26 DHS public speaking students attended the contest on a field trip to support Nelson and Ethan as they competed in the event.

Contestants from nine other high schools from across Chautauqua County were represented in the contest, a total of 16 contestants. Each contestant was required to deliver a 4-5 minute informative formal speech on the topic: How does the vision of America intersect with the reality of America? Both Nelson and Ethan earned honorable mention and were singled out by the judges as having charisma and natural speaking ability. First place ($100) and third place ($25) went to students from Jamestown High School, second place ($50) went to a student from Westfield Academy & Central School.

Rules and guidelines for the speech contest included having three verbal citations, meeting a required time limit with points deducted for time infractions and the use of a microphone.

After the formal speeches, each contestant was then required to participate in an impromptu speaking portion of the competition. Each contestant had to speak extemporaneously for one minute on a topic selected in a random drawing. Congratulations to Nelson and Ethan on a job well done.