BENTONVILLE — Sach Oliver participated in speech competitions when he was in high school. The experience gave him a desire to pursue a career where he could use that skill.
Oliver, now a partner with Bailey & Oliver Law Firm in Bentonville, hopes to give that desire to students as the firm holds its annual Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Speech Competition on Saturday. The event starts at 8:30 a.m.
At A Glance
Speech Competition
The Bailey & Oliver Law Firm Speech Competition will be 10:30 a.m Saturday at the firm’s office at 2000 S.E. 14th St. Awards will be presented at 10:30 a.m. First, second and third place winners will receive cash prizes.
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Fast Fact
Cyberbullying
The Cyberbullying Research Center defines cyberbullying as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.”
Source: Cyberbulling Research Center
A group of 20 Bentonville High School students will debate the pros and cons of government involvement in cyberbullying before a panel of judges made up of politicians, lawyers and pastors.
“We want to encourage strong oral advocacy skills in our community,” Oliver said. “Some student may realize their talent through this competition and apply it to the world.”
Julia Woods teaches oral communications at Bentonville High School and is helping students prepare for the event. She said the competition is different from school debate events because it puts students in front of the community.
“It gives them a real-world setting,” Woods said. “Most of these students are interested in political fields. This gives them the opportunity to speak in front of people they admire.”
Bentonville students Aaron Crowell and Joey Youngblood will compete Saturday.
Youngblood will examine the pros of government involvement when dealing with cyberbullying.
“I think there needs to be a more unified, comprehensive approach to dealing with cyberbullying,” Youngblood said. “Cyberbullying is not clearly defined in many cases and it leaves a lot of victims that don’t have any means to defend themselves.”
Crowell disagrees with Youngblood and believes what is said in the cyberworld should be protected under the First Amendment as long as it does not happen on school grounds or during school events.
“Outside of school it is free speech,” Crowell said. “These emotions that we show other people are a part of something we feel. Even if the government could pass a law to restrain these emotions they are still there.”