A persuasive speaking contest was endowed by friends and family of Father Leonard. The annual competition, sponsored by the Communication Department, is open to all Boston College undergraduates. Contestants' speeches must deal with a controversial topic and are judged on the basis of evidence, reasoning, organization, analysis and delivery.
Winners of the Leonard Public Speaking Contest include:
2009
First: Brendan C. Benedict '12
Second: Lauren M. Fryc '11
Third: Caryn A. Switaj '10
2008
First: Erika Vargas '09
Second: Colleen C. Malachowski '08
Third: James D. Lange '10
2007
First: Amanda N. Denes '07
Second: Colleen C. Malachowski '08
Third: Joseph J. Gravellese '10
2006
First: Jeffrey Sullivan '06
Second: Chaseedaw Giles '08
Third: Christine Guida '07
2005
First: Stephanie L. St. Martin '07
Second: Christina Bechold '07
Third: Joseph R. Bowden '05
2004
First: Laine A. Blumenkopf '07
Second: Nicole P. Femminella '06
Third: Amy L. Doiron '06
2003
First: Jennifer Nance '05
Second: Justin Weiss '06
Third: Matthew Jacobson '05
2002
First: Feven Teklu '04
Second: Gretchen Earle '02
Third: Elizabeth Block '04
2001
First: Elizabeth Kannenberg '03
Second: Robert Smith '02
Third: Marin Kirby '03
2000
First: Jared Fields '01
Second: Brian Vassallo '02
Third: Erika Maxian '02
1999
First: Leslie DeSantis '01
Second: Ryan Winmill '00
Third: Andrea Heimanson '01
1998
First: Aisha Bain '00
Second: Hozaifa Cassubhai '00
Third: Joseph Strazzeri '00
1997
First: Danielle Forgione '97
Second: Ralph Giordano '98
Third: Eileen Turo '99
1996
First: Ralph Giordano '98
Second: David Budka '96
Third: Catherine Johnson '99
1995
First: Brendan Hickey '95
Second: Keely O'Bryan '95
Third: Scott Harford '97
1994
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1993
First: Jennifer Thibeault '95
Second: Chris Gay '96
Third: Jason Krantz '95
1992
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Second: Emily Hancocke '95
Third: Margaret A. Gould '92
1991
First: Paul Bennett '91
Second: Jamie Rubin '92
Third: Maura Kelly '91
1990
First: Bryan Dumais '90
Second: Bruce Blau '91
Third: Tara Hitchcock '92
1989
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1988
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1987
First:
Second: Suzane Muscato '88
Third: Michael Farber '89
1986
First: Kristie Velasco '86
Second: Richard Beck '86
Third: David Ryan '86