Sherman Prize Speaking Contest

UPDATED: Watch all six speeches, HERE.

University School proudly announces the winner of the school's 110th annual Sherman Prize Speaking Contest held recently at the Hunting Valley Campus.

Trevor Adams '15 won first place for his speech entitled The Little Things in which he discussed how people tend to forget the little things that matter most, and instead focus too much on bigger experiences and decisions.

"These little moments are where the true personality is displayed," Trevor said. "Big decisions are made knowing that they will have an impact on one's life, while the finer, more personal moments only ascend to their true significance as people look back and reflect on their lives." 

The second-place Sherman prize was awarded to Nicholas Hall '15 for his speech Life in the Middle. Sami Ascha '15 received third place for Passion Amidst Tragedy.

Students who received honorable mentions were juniors Mason Monahan, Malik Mays, and Phillip Vorster.

"All of our speakers were outstanding," said Stephen Murray, University School headmaster. "Every student expressed his views in a clear and persuasive manner, a quality that University School strives to instill in all of its students."

Mrs. Henry Sherman established The Sherman Prize Speaking Contest in 1904 in memory of her son, George Benedict Sherman, a member of the class of 1903.

The speeches were judged on the basis of originality, clarity, organization, and quality of delivery. The judging panel consisted of: Richard Bryan '70, Head of School, Emeritus, The Nichols School; Lisa Farmer Cole, Executive Director of Transformation Schools for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Margaret Mason, former Dean of Students at University School.

The Sherman Prize Speaking Contest is offered in the second semester of the junior year. All eleventh graders are required to write a speech on a topic of their choice. The speeches are presented in class and graded. Students can then compete in the Sherman Prize. At the preliminary round, contestants deliver their speeches before a panel of three judges drawn from the University School faculty. The six finalists, who are chosen from this group, have one week to prepare for the final competition.