Art of oration on display at Talon Talks

LCCC student Hailey Hushbeck was backstage April 23 at her first Talon Talks, a public speaking competition, waiting to go on stage. She texted her mom and asked her to come backstage.

“She came back and was like, ‘Do you need anything?’” Hushbeck said. “And I told her, ‘I’m scared.’” 

It was an imposing moment for Hushbeck, who until a few months before, had never expressed an interest in public speaking. Life was all about rodeo, she said, until an injury derailed her plans to go to college in Texas on scholarship. LCCC was the backup plan; it was close to home. 

But when she started classes, feeling defeated and demoralized from her injury, Hushbeck said she was determined to find a new challenge. She wanted something to occupy her mind and help her find a skillset outside the rodeo arena. 

Normally a rather shy person, Hushbeck said she was surprised to find she had a growing interest in communication. It made sense to look into it, she said, because successful rodeo athletes have to talk to sports media all the time. 

Going into her LCCC Public Speaking course, Hushbeck, like so many college students, assumed it would be a huge challenge. But the initial speeches she delivered went well, garnering positive feedback. What was more interesting, however, was that she enjoyed it. 

“I think I just like being able to put my voice out there and be heard,” she said. “If you're speaking from your heart and about something you're passionate about, your nerves just fly away because you know a lot about the topic.” 

With building confidence, Husbheck, now a part of the STEM Pathway focusing on Animal Science, decided to take her ambition to do well with public speaking a step further by participating in Talon Talks.  

Each semester, LCCC hosts Talon Talks. Inspired by the well-known TED Talks series, the events offer LCCC students a platform to showcase their presentation skills and celebrate their public speaking accomplishments. Hosted by the college and the Communication & Creative Arts Pathway, the event features two categories — Compelling Voices and Creative Voices — where students can win scholarships, textbook scholarships and LCCC swag. The April 23 event was hosted at Laramie High School. 

Public speaking is a skill that can be helpful in all sorts of life situations, in and outside of the career realm, said Jen DeRouchey, LCCC Human Behaviors program director. Talon Talks, she said, is an excellent opportunity to highlight the skill and celebrate the art of oration. Giving students opportunities to exercise their public speaking skills is an experience they can use to craft future success. 

“I think that's the cool part about public speaking is that the more you do it, the better you get at it,” DeRouchey said. 

The speech Hushbeck planned to give, "Looking for my Why," aimed to shed light on the rigorous rodeo lifestyle, including the daily dedication required, regardless of challenging circumstances. She highlighted the virtue of pushing through difficult times and emphasized the importance of not quitting, even when it seems appealing.

But when Hushbeck was backstage at Talon Talks waiting to go on, it struck her that she was about to give her speech in a different venue than she was used to in the classroom. It seemed at that moment to be overwhelming. 

Her mother reassured her by reminding her of the large crowds she had performed in front of at rodeo events. She suggested Hushbeck recall a video of a packed crowd from the previous summer, emphasizing that she didn't need to win this time but simply share her story. Hushbeck's mindset began to shift, making her feel more confident.

At the night’s end, she placed first in the Creative Voices category. 

For another Talon Talks participant, it was far from her first rodeo in the public speaking event. 

Arianna Vali on April 23 was in her fourth Talon Talks event, having taken first place in her first appearance and second place in the following two. The remarkable results, however, hadn’t fed into Vali’s ego, as she said she made sure to keep things in perspective. 

"It's definitely made me feel more confident in my voice and what I'm trying to portray, but It's also been a really humbling experience," she said.

Vali's journey in college has taken some twists and turns. She initially pursued a business management major in college, but it didn't resonate with her and she dropped out twice. 

The experience left her feeling unsure about returning to college. However, everything changed when she faced serious health issues that weren't adequately addressed by traditional medicine. This frustration led her to discover natural and functional medicine, which she developed a passion for, motivating her to return to school and pursue a career as a doctor who can contribute to the field. This led to a complete shift in her academic path to LCCC’s Health Sciences & Wellness Pathway two years ago, driven by a newfound passion. With her Associate of Science in hand in December, she plans to transfer to the University of Wyoming to pursue either a Master's degree or medical school.

Taking on the Compelling Voices category, Vali delivered her speech, "Taking the First Steps Towards Authenticity," beginning with expressions of vulnerability, conveying some of her past struggles where she didn’t live up to the standards she set for herself. 

The audience went on to learn about how Vali developed a stronger sense of self-confidence through self-awareness, building trust in herself through the actions she takes every day. It may have been her best execution in Talon Talks yet, evidenced by her landing the category’s top spot. 

While she participated in Speech and Debate in high school, Vali said taking a Public Speaking Course at LCCC in her 20s made her realize she wasn’t as confident an orator as she’d hoped. But as she worked through the course, Vali said she reawakened a talent in herself, finding she not only had a knack for public speaking; she liked it. That led to her first Talon Talk.

Vali felt particularly anxious before the most recent Talon Talks; her past success led to her setting high expectations for herself. However, once on stage, she experienced greater comfort and confidence. In addition to being a full-time LCCC student, Vali works as a full-time licensed insurance agent for Family Heritage, the supplemental division of Globe Life Insurance. The job involves frequent public speaking and dealing with serious matters, which Vali said has significantly improved her speaking skills.

Those struggling with public speaking would do well to be mindful of their feelings, allowing themselves to experience them fully, Vali said. Conscious breathing and meditation, she said, can help speakers achieve a calm state. Additionally, Vali recommended speaking slowly, as it helped calm both the speaker and the audience.

"I am really into meditation before every performance,” she said. “I meditate before leaving my house and then again right before I get on stage. I close my eyes for a minute, focus on my breathing and heart rate, and try to get myself into a calm place. It is really beneficial."

Hushbeck and Vali both faced significant challenges that reshaped their academic and personal lives. But through their experiences in Talon Talks, they harnessed the skills they’d developed as students at LCCC and channeled the life lessons they’d learned into powerful narratives that took away the event’s highest recognition. Both know they’re harnessing a skill that will help carry them to success in their lives after LCCC. 

"Looking back, my initial public speaking class was by far one of the best things that has ever happened to me," Vali said. 

Go to lccc.wy.edu/cca for more information about the Communication & Creative Arts Pathway at LCCC.