Mer­cer Speech Tour­na­ment win­ners (l. to r.): Dar­iush Cave-Khatiblov, Jason Fuller, Geor­gia Weiss-Elliott, Bran­don Pet­titt, Saman­tha Andrews and Caitlin Craft.
The University of New Mexico Department of Communication & Journalism announces the winners of the Joe and Steve Mercer Memorial Scholarship Speech Tournament. The tournament, open to all UNM students, was endowed by JoAnn Mercer in memory of her son and husband who were active in collegiate debate as students. Its purpose is to provide support for students interested and excelling in public speaking.

Twenty-four student speakers entered the competition. The top six speakers from the preliminary round advanced to the final round.

Judith Hendry, faculty coordinator of the competition, said, "We are very fortunate to have the endowment from Mrs. Mercer that makes this scholarship competition possible. The tournament is always a very exciting event and the speakers this year were spectacular."

2013 Mercer Scholarship Speech
Tournament Winners
1st Place ($1,500):
Dariush Cave-Khatiblov
Major: Psychology
Speech topic: Suicide

2nd Place ($900):
Brandon Pettit
Major: Communication
Speech topic: Armed Professionals in Schools

3rd Place ($700):
Caitlin Craft
Major: Communication
Speech topic: Cyber Bullying

Finalists ($300 each):
Samantha Andrews
Major: Communication
Speech topic: Violence Against Women

Georgia Weiss-Elliott
Major: International Studies
Speech topic: Aid to Refugees in U.S.

Jason Fuller
Major: Communication
Speech topic: Investment in Youth Development Organizations

Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales (505) 277-5920; email: cgonzal@unm.edu