Denmark Tech students achieve top awards at speech and theater competition

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Denmark Technical College brought home three individual honors from the South Carolina Speech and Theatre Association’s State College Festival Competition, held earlier this month at Newberry College.

Zy’Tavion Abrams brought home first place in the original spoken word category for his inspiring piece entitled “Trust in God”. Denim Morrison placed second in Lincoln Douglas Debate and Seneca Ellison took third place in storytelling with a moving performance of “Hercules”.

Abrams and Morrison were awarded scholarships to Newberry College and invited to join their speech and debate program in the fall.

“These students worked arduously on their material in preparation for this competition. The awards they brought back to Denmark Tech are a testament to the dedication they have to their craft and the influence that invested coaches can have on the student experience,” said Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College. “They are learning skills that not only will help them in their coursework here, but that they will use for the rest of their lives as they continue on their educational journeys and head into the workforce.”

Additional members of the Denmark Tech Oratorical Society include Shavon Brunson, Ra’Niyah Daniels, Rashad Hart, Ashlea Jenkins, Quaseem Nunally and Ty’shaun Rawls.

The students are coached by Shannon Sims-McAlister, with the assistance of Robbie Kinsey.

“I’m very proud of the exemplary job our students did at this year’s competition. Not only did they step outside of their comfort zones and prove they could stand in competition with other colleges from across the state, but they also worked together as a team and encouraged one another in true team spirit,” said McAlister.