Victoria Vega of Burbank Participates in Pi Sigma Alpha Political Speech Contest at Lewis University

2013 May 2

Lewis University student Casey McKenzie recited, "The Great Dictator Speech" from Charlie Chaplin's movie The Great Dictator, and won first place in the 2013 Pi Sigma Alpha Political Speech Contest held April 10. Eight students explained and recited their favorite political speeches of all time.

Victoria Vega of Burbank, Ill. recited "Women's Right to Vote" by Susan B. Anthony at the contest.

Mckenzie won $100 for first place. Cassandra Myers won $75 for second place when she recited "A Plea for Mercy" by Clarence Darrow. Sabra Thomas earned $50 and third place for reciting "The Crisis" by Carrie Chapman.

Other contestants who participated in the contest were Matt Carlson, reciting the address to the people of Western Europe on June 6, 1944 about the D-Day invasion; Jake Garringer, reciting "9/11 Speech" by President George W. Bush; Orla Power, reciting the address at American University by Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Carlos Rojas, reciting the "Gettysburg Address" by President Abraham Lincoln; and Victoria Vega, reciting a Susan B. Anthony speech.

The Lewis University Alpha Delta Gamma chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha is open to juniors and seniors who have completed at least 10 semester hours in political science, with an overall GPA in the upper one-third of their class. Along with the recognition they receive, members have unique opportunities for leadership and development. In 2012, the national organization of Pi Sigma Alpha honored the Lewis University chapter with a Best Chapter Award. The award recognizes local chapters that are particularly active and exhibit high energy and creativity.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http://www.lewisu.edu for further information.