By Margaret Garmon Record-Courier correspondent Image of members of the Kent State University Speech Teams showing a selection of their awards.. From left are, Jennifer Talbert, director of the team, and team members Anna Ramach of Middleburg Heights, Megan Gorey of Strongsville, Mary Norris of Massillon, Joshua Dunaitis of Aurora, Sean Sarah of Stow, Jennifer Steer of Canton and Beth Ann Sadowski of Mantua. (Photo by Gerry Simon and courtesy of Record-Publishing Co.)

In an Internet techno-media age of communication through blogs, e-mail, chat rooms and instant messaging, an event that demonstrates communication through the eloquence of speech and debate will take place at Kent State University Friday and Saturday.

KSU will host the annual Ohio Forensic Association State Speech & Debate Tournament. Tournament events will take place in three buildings: Bowman, Satterfield and the College of Business Administration Building. More than 80 students from Ohio colleges and universities will compete in the event sponsored by the KSU School of Communication Studies. Events are open to the public.

The awarding-winning KSU Speech Team is among the competitors. Cumulatively as a team and individual members, the KSU team has won more than 50 awards and trophies within the past year at statewide and national competitions, according to Jennifer Talbert, director of the KSU Speech Team and Communication Studies doctoral student.

Last year the team placed third overall in the state besting Ohio University, University of Miami and Ohio State University.

“Last year we were small but mighty - only four students and we went on to take eighth place in our division at nationals,” Talbert said.

One strength of the team is that students come from several disciplines beyond communications majors. This year’s the seven team members include majors in political science/international relations, finance, broadcasting, American Sign Language, special education and theatre.

Hard work and a team spirit are integral to the team’s success, according to Talbert.

“Our students continue to win because they work hard. We really are like a family. Cohesive groups like the Kent team do not always occur, and this team acts like a family as well as a team. They really help each other out,” Talbert said.

Talbert’s dedication and years of training are central to the winning formula. This marks her 12th year coaching at the college level. Talbert devotes time and effort helping students find topics and scripts for speeches and countless hours coaching students.

As an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma, her team was fifth in the nation and she placed second nationwide in persuasive speaking. She went on to Wichita State University where she also coached and earned her master’s degree in communications. Talbert taught at Ball State University for six years and coached more than 450 events that qualified for the national tournament. Previous to joining the KSU communications doctoral program in 2004, Talbert was a trainer for National City Bank in Cleveland.

Preparing competitions like this weekend’s state tournament helps give all students the confidence necessary to get up and present their ideas and perform in a professional manner, according to Talbert.

“What separates us as humans is our ability to communicate. Speech team teaches students the skills that they need to know in order to succeed in the world of today. I also believe that this activity should be fun, and for many students, it gives them the creative outlet that may be missing in their college lives.” Talbert said.