Seniors delivered their rhetoric persuasive thesis speeches today.  The students have been working on a persuasive speech throughout the year that is presented to fellow seniors, juniors, and other guests.  They selected a contemporary issue, crafted a thesis, and sought to incorporate a full arsenal of rhetorical strategies tailored uniquely to their audience, while using their Christian faith as the foundation for their thinking.   After giving their speeches, they were required to answer questions from the audience for a ten minute period.   Here were the topics addressed today:

Ian DeGraaf, compulsory voting, “Should we Have a Choice to Make a Choice?” ”
Malachi Tamminga, U.S. involvement in foreign aid, “The Great American Generosity”
Abraham Sullivan, What shapes us as people, “Pottery and Play-Do: The Science of Influence”
Allison Moren, Ethics of Photo-shopping Models, “Distortion of Beauty”
Nathan Lawty, Christians and Political Involvement, “Helping with Hurting”
Evan Kvale, The Value of Liberal Arts Education, “When Everyone is Super”
Mackenzie Knight, How Media Affects Youth, “Game Over”
Eli Dawson, The Value of Studying a Trade, “Trades: An Exciting Alternative”
Angie Le, Ethical Considerations of A.I., “No Substitutes”
Tanner Tichy, Professional Athletes Standing for the National Anthem, “Let’s Stand Together”
Haylee Darby, How Media Negatively Affects Youth, “The Negative Effects of Technology on Youth”
Jeffrey Hallstrom, The Ethics and Consequences of GMO foods, “Mutant Foods. Mutant People.”
Allison Cole, Technology and Privacy, “Invasion of Privacy”
Kathryn Stone, Countries and Foreign Aid, “How NOT to Help”
Nathan Bodenman, The Ethics and Legalities of 3D printers, “Destructive Construction”
Leeza Woodard, The Necessity of Art in Education, “The Necessity of the “Unnecessary””
Frances Curry, Regulations of Smoking, “Don’t Let Your Life Go Out in Smoke”
Elizabeth Scott, Increasing Graduation Requirements for Fine Arts, “Fine Arts: I think so…”