Some conversations don’t feel like interviews. They feel like moments you were meant to have.
That’s what JUD Talks are feeling like for this year’s competition, 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, in KOSC MacDonald auditorium–a signature spring event. Gordon’s annual public speaking competition gives students the chance to stand in front of a room and share something real, something that challenges not just the audience, but also themselves. The five finalists are Natalee Williams, Charis Guilford, Johnny Paul-Faina, Josie Hendricks, and Tanya Vyshegorodtesva.
After my interviews with several student speakers and one of the organizers, it became clear that this event is about more than public speaking. It’s about growth, faith, and learning how to slow down in a world that constantly tells us to keep going.
When I sat down during a Zoom meetup with finalist Natalee Williams, what stood out first wasn’t just what she said but how natural everything felt. There was no pressure, no performance. Just honesty.
Natalee, a sophomore studying business management and economics, spoke about her JUD Talk topic, “Practice of Recharge: How to Be an Actual Christian in Today’s Economy.” But for her, this wasn’t just a speech; it was her life.
She told me that, at 8 years old, she started a cupcake business. Not just for fun, but to give back. She donated part of her earnings to causes like earthquake relief and building schools in Africa. Even then, she was doing everything “in the name of Jesus.”
But as she got older, something shifted.“I was doing all of this,” she said, “but I didn’t even know why anymore.” That part stayed with me.
It wasn’t that she stopped believing it was that she realized she didn’t actually know God for herself. So she stepped back, not from her faith, but into it more deeply. She started asking real questions. She wanted something real.
What she found wasn’t complicated; it was consistency. Now, instead of only turning to God at certain times, she includes Him in everything. In the small, in-between moments that most people overlook.
“Even when I’m walking or on a break,” she told me, “I’m talking to Him.”Her message was simple: don’t try to fit God into your life, center your life around Him. And honestly, it made me relate.
Because as college students, we stay busy. We’re always moving, always doing something, always thinking about what’s next. And it becomes easy to say we don’t have time for rest, for stillness, even for God. But hearing her say it like that made it feel different.
“We say we don’t have time,” she said, “but we can make time.”
Differently, Charis Guilford’s message connected to that same idea of slowing down, but through something most people avoid: boredom. Her talk, “The Beauty of Being Bored,” came from a simple decision to let a friend choose her topic. After being sent videos and stories about boredom, she became interested in something most people try to escape.
“At first it sounded strange,” she said, “but it was actually really interesting.” What she realized is something a lot of people don’t notice: we are constantly filling space. Phones, noise, distractions, there’s always something happening.
“We live in a fast-paced world,” she said, “and there’s no room to just be.”
Because of that, she believes people are missing out on themselves, their identity, their thoughts, and even their relationship with God. What made her message stand out was how honest it felt.
“I’m a doer,” she admitted. “So in a way, I’m giving this speech to myself.” That honesty made it real. Not perfect, not polished, just true.
“Boredom can be beautiful,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be as scary as we make it.”
But not every JUD Talk focused on slowing down. Some, like Tanya Vyshegorodtseva’s, called attention to issues that are impossible to ignore. Her talk, “A Problem with Immigration in the U.S. Today,” came from personal experience, something she didn’t hesitate to be honest about.
“Being an immigrant and encountering many struggles with losing a culture,” she said, “I was inspired to bring up this topic and make other people aware of what immigrants experience.” For Tanya, this wasn’t just about awareness; it was about responsibility, especially within her faith.
“I think it’s important for Christians to be able to love immigrants,” she explained, “in a way that actually addresses their struggles and current hardships.”
Her message comes at a time when immigration is constantly in the news, often surrounded by tension and division. She pointed out what she sees as a rise in inhumane and unjust treatment, and felt a need to speak into that reality.
“I want to bring up this issue,” she said, “so that the audience can have an idea of how they can act and what can be done.” More than anything, she hopes her audience doesn’t just listen but responds.
“I hope that the audience is called to act,” she said, “and will know what steps can be taken to take care of immigrants and lessen the effects of the immigration crisis.”
At the center of her message is something simple, but powerful: connection.
“I hope people realize that they have a lot in common with immigrants,” she said. “We should love them like anyone else, especially right now.”
Like many of the speakers, Tanya also faced challenges along the way. Public speaking didn’t come naturally to her, and writing a speech was new. But through support from friends, family, and her JUD Talk coach, she grew more confident in both her message and her voice.
“It has been hard,” she admitted, “but fun to figure out what the best points are and how the speech can be delivered.” For her, this talk is more than just a presentation; it’s something deeply personal.
“I have experienced immigration first-hand,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of pain and struggle in other immigrants.”
And ultimately, that experience is what grounds her message in something deeper than opinion.
“I strongly believe that God calls us to love others,” she said. “He calls us to be respectful, kind, and intentional toward everyone, including immigrants.”
Behind these student voices is the purpose of JUD Talk itself. According to Dr. Yoo, one of the event’s organizers, the event was created to give students a space to share ideas that matter.
“When I first came here, this didn’t exist,” she explained. “We wanted to create something that connects the community and allows students to share their ideas.”
The event is open to everyone. Students from any major, any year, and any level of experience can audition. From there, a small group is selected to present.
But what makes a strong speaker isn’t just confidence; it’s the message.
“Content matters more than delivery,” Dr. Yoo said. “You can be engaging, but without a clear idea, people won’t remember anything.”
In today’s world, she believes spaces like this are more important than ever.
“A lot of people are afraid to speak,” she said. “They don’t want to offend others. But if we don’t say anything, we can’t understand each other.”
JUD Talk creates that space to speak, to listen, and to start conversations that actually matter. After all these conversations, one thing became clear: Sometimes growth doesn’t come from doing more.
Sometimes it comes from slowing down. From being honest. From making space for your thoughts, your faith, and your voice. JUD Talk isn’t just about standing on a stage.
It’s about learning how to stand in what you believe and actually live it.
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