Christopher A. Crawford, a sophomore speech communication major from Atlanta, won first place and a $2,000 prize in the 2008 Battle of Flowers Association Oratorical contest. Here, he is in mid-speech at the San Antonio Garden Center. photo by Mary Candee.

In celebration of Texas history, Christopher A. Crawford delivered a rousing speech titled “Legendary Lawmen – The Texas Rangers” and won first place in the 2008 Battle of Flowers Association Oratorical Contest. For his 10-minute oration, he also received $2,000, a chance to deliver his speech at an association luncheon during San Antonio’s Fiesta, and an invitation to ride in the event’s Battle of Flowers parade, one of the longest in the nation.

Not bad for a sophomore speech communication major from Atlanta. Copies of his speech also will be deposited in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo and in the San Antonio Public Library System.

Placing fourth in the 83^rd annual contest was Trinity student Bethany Richter, a junior from Lockhart, Texas. Her topic was “Rest in Peace: The life of John ‘Rip’ Ford,” and she won $500. Shannon Jones, a first-year student from Temple, Texas, also participated in the event held at the San Antonio Garden Center. The contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students who attend Texas colleges and universities. Other winners in this year’s contest attend Palo Alto and Panola Colleges and Texas A&M University.

L. Brooks Hill, professor and chair of Trinity’s speech and drama department, said he “strongly supports” the local oratorical contest because students are able to develop their public speaking skills while community leaders with ties to both Trinity and the Battle of Flowers organization see students break the image of living in an isolated bubble. “I really enjoy having them see what our students are capable of doing,” he says.