Sagamore Hill Announces Winners of the 2010
Theodore Roosevelt Association Public Speaking Contest
The Theodore Roosevelt Association held its 2010 public speaking contest for high school students in Nassau County at Old Orchard Museum, on the grounds of the Sagamore Hill National historic Site. This year thirty- two students participated in the competition, which is sponsored by the Friends of Sagamore Hill and the New York Community Bank. The semi- finals were held on April 14th and 15th and finals took place on April 22nd.
The speeches must be original, with the content restricted to topics related to Theodore Roosevelt. Speeches must be memorized and of five minutes duration. Originality, ingenuity and creativity are encouraged in the development of topics and speeches. There can be no use of props or costumes. The three award winners were selected by a panel of judges composed of educators, community leaders, members of the National Park Service and members of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
Our blue-ribbon panel this year was: Ms. Dorothy Doughety who is the education director of the National Archives in New York City, the superintendent of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Thomas Ross, Father Peter Casparian of Christ Church in Oyster Bay, Pastor Jeffrey Prey of the Presbyterian Church in Oyster Bay, Mr. Phil Blocklyn who the archivist of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, Mr. Tom Kuihus the Executive Director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, Mr. Mark Kozoil who is a museum technician at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, Mr. John Hammond who is the Town of Oyster Bay Historian , Professor Natalie Naylor formerly of Hofstra University, Ms. Elizabeth Roosevelt of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and Mr. John Fennel who is the Vice President of New York Community Bank. The coordinator and master of ceremonies for the public Speaking contest was Professor Howard Ehrlich, the Interim Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
Our blue-ribbon panel this year was: Ms. Dorothy Doughety who is the education director of the National Archives in New York City, the superintendent of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Thomas Ross, Father Peter Casparian of Christ Church in Oyster Bay, Pastor Jeffrey Prey of the Presbyterian Church in Oyster Bay, Mr. Phil Blocklyn who the archivist of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, Mr. Tom Kuihus the Executive Director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, Mr. Mark Kozoil who is a museum technician at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, Mr. John Hammond who is the Town of Oyster Bay Historian , Professor Natalie Naylor formerly of Hofstra University, Ms. Elizabeth Roosevelt of the Theodore Roosevelt Association and Mr. John Fennel who is the Vice President of New York Community Bank. The coordinator and master of ceremonies for the public Speaking contest was Professor Howard Ehrlich, the Interim Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
This year’s winning speech was delivered by Daniel Sullivan of Chaminade High School in Mineola. In second place and not far behind in the ratings was Funmi Akinnawaona who represented Hewlett High School. The third place winner was Nicole Fisher from Herricks High School, for the second year in a row. Daniel with his first place finish won a $1,000 plus a $200 savings bond from the New York Community Bank. In addition Daniel got to take home a magnificent Theodore Roosevelt Bust by the famous artist Gleb Derujinsli as well as one for his school. Finally, Daniel gets the opportunity to deliver his speech on the porch of Sagamore Hill on July 4. Funmi was awarded a cash prize of $500 and a $100 bond from the New York Community Bank and Nicole Fisher was awarded a cash prize of $250 and a $50 bond from the New York Community Bank. All the contestants got to take home a special Theodore Roosevelt Medal that was specifically designed by the Theodore Roosevelt Association back in the 1920’s.