Civic Memorial Student Wins Lewis and Clark’s ‘You Have a Voice!’ Speech Contest

GODFREY – Dual credit student Kimberly Price, of Civic Memorial High School, brought home the first-place prize, and $100 cash, in the 2026 “You Have a Voice!” humanities speech contest.

The contest is held annually at Lewis and Clark Community College by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society and hosted by Elizabeth Grant, PTK Sponsor and Speech Professor.

This year’s contest featured nine participants. It aims to give students an opportunity to share their thoughts on what it means to be human.

“We are a celebration of speaking about the human experience so it’s a very unifying opportunity for everyone involved,” Grant said.

Price, a current high school senior, gave a speech titled, “Snowflakes.” She said hearing her name announced as the winner was a surreal moment.

“When I found out I won, it didn’t really click at first,” Price said. “I think my speech teacher and I high-fived, but I was too surprised to even remember what was happening around me!”

Her speech was shaped by the unique experiences in her life growing up and the concept that no two experiences are the same, similar to the uniqueness of snowflakes.

While she was proud to have won first place, Price said the experience itself was the most rewarding part.

“I loved You Have A Voice,” Price said. “It was the first time I’ve ever competed in something like that and just being able to listen to others' takes on the prompt was honestly more than enough for me.”

In addition to the cash prize, Price will be honored at the college’s upcoming Honors Ceremony, April 24.

Second place and a $75 prize went to Cloud Sutton, a dual credit student from Jersey Community High School. Makayla Woolsey, another dual credit student from Jersey Community High School, won third place and a prize of $50.

The judges of this year’s contest were Director of Foundation Relations Debby Edelman, Foundation Administrative Assistant Shawntaya Wagner and LC retiree Jared Hennings.

Joining them were two former winners of the contest: Madi Bouillon, a current senior at Blackburn College, and Grace Costello, a teacher in the Edwardsville School District. This was the first time former winners have helped judge the contest.

For more information on LC’s Speech Department or PTK, contact Grant at eegrant@lc.edu.

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