The Annual Dottie Rhett Speech Contest

The Dottie Rhett Speech Contest is a time-honored tradition of Charleston Day School. For almost 40 years, the contest, originally developed by Mrs. Dottie Rhett, has focused on developing public speaking skills in our students. In fifth grade, students choose a topic of interest to them, research it and write a speech to be delivered in front of their class and in-house judges. Students learn skills such as taking notes, forming outlines, and citing sources following MLA style. All students present their speeches to a panel of in-house judges and from there, six finalists are selected to present their speeches in front of three external judges and the entire school.

Each fifth-grader plays an important role, whether making formal introductions, acting as the Master of Ceremonies or giving a dramatic reading while the judges deliberate.

The judges had a difficult time determining the winner. First place went to Eugenia Burtschy on the topic of Lying, second place went to Trip Lind on the topic of Nightmares, and third place went to Rhetta Rutledge on the topic of The Downfall of the Mayan Civilization.

We were honored to have Dottie Rhett’s husband, the Rev. Dr. William Rhett, Jr. in attendance again this year and are grateful to our esteemed judges.

Scan this QR close to watch all the speeches in the 2022 Dottie Rhett Speech Contest.

Quotes From This Year’s Speeches

“A liar can portray himself in many different ways, and it is important to know how to spot one. Please remember, just like the boy who cried wolf, lying of any kind will eventually catch up with you. Nobody believes a liar, even when they are telling the truth.”

Eugenia Burtschy

On the topic of Lying

“The most interesting nightmare, in my opinion, is hypnopompic sleep paralysis. Try to say that three times fast. Hypnopompic sleep paralysis is also known as nighttime paralysis. Nighttime paralysis is when you are feeling conscious, but you are unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of being awake and asleep. Some periods of sleep paralysis can last one to two minutes, but others can last a few seconds. Just trust me, you don’t want to be caught in one of these types.”

Trip Lind

On the topic of Nightmares

“Although no one knows what happened to the Mayan people that used to roam in South America, researchers realized that large numbers of people can go down in a short matter of time through civil strife, warfare, starvation, and sickness. This mystery will hopefully be solved in the future for everyone who is eager to know what actually happened to the Mayan people.”

Rhetta Rutledge

On the topic of The Downfall of the Mayan Civilization

This Year’s Finalists Eugenia Burtschy, on the topic of Lying Duncan Grant, on the topic of The Bubonic Plague Evie Lail, on the topic of Smiling Trip Lind, on the topic of Nightmares Marlowe Murdough, on the topic of Do You Hear What I Hear? Mondegreens, Eggcorns, and Spoonerisms Rhetta Rutledge, on the topic of The Downfall of the Mayan Civilization Lydia Blessing provided introductions and Whit Shealy was Master of Ceremonies.

Our Judges Mrs. Charlotte Williams taught Ethics at CDS for 9 years. She and her daughter, Charlotte Grimball, own a home-based bread business called Knead It. Mr. John Blincow is a 2010 graduate of CDS. He is a sales engineer for Four Corners Building Supply and participated in the Dottie Rhett Fifth Grade Speech Contest. Ms. Katie Turner joined News 2 in June of 2019 and is the host of their lifestyle show, Living Local.

This year’s Dottie Rhett Speech contest.

The judges congratulate this year’s winners.

BELOW: Back Row: Ms. Katie Turner, Rev. Dr. William Rhett Jr., Judith Foley Arnstein, Head of School, Mrs. Charlotte Williams and Mr. John Blincow; Front Row: Eugenia Burtschy, Rhetta Rutledge and Trip Lind

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