It takes bravery for some students to speak in front of a crowd, which is what nine students will do at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hyde Park Forum in the Kent Student Center Ballroom.

The Hyde Park Forum is a speech competition where students from the Introduction to Human Communication class, both fall 2012 and spring 2013 semester classes, will present their speeches.

Each student will compete for scholarships ranging from the top prize of $500 to the participant prize of $50. Students will also have a chance to receive an honorary “People’s Choice” award.

Students will present in front of five judges on various topics, ranging from space exploration to raising chickens. Judges include Suzanne Theisen, Stow Monroe Falls High School Speech Coach; Matt Fredmosky, editor of Kent Patch; Stanley Wearden, dean of the College of Communication and Information; Paul Haridakis, director of Communication Studies; and Ann Guariniello, Kent State alumna.

Contact Alyssa Flynn at [email protected].