Washburn University Announces Spring 2026 Nall Speak Off Winners

Topeka, Kan. - The Washburn University Communication Studies Department hosted the biannual Nall Speak Off Wednesday, April 8. Each semester some of the top students in the public speaking classes (CN 150) are nominated to showcase their talents at this celebration of informative public speech. The culminating round of this event is open to the Washburn and surrounding communities.

The Spring 2026 Nall Speak Off participants were Sophia Ambrose, Eden Conrad, Mishayla Diacon, Kumuda Gadtaula, Gustavo Hernandez Garcia, Bryson Leon, Aedyn Lowman (Topeka West High School), Henry Miller (Topeka West High School), Maddex Moreno, Kody Nicklin, Emma Schuetz, Jonah Tevis-Gallaway (Topeka West High School) and Christopher Thuma.

The top six placing students and their topics are as follows:

1. Eden Conrad - Discussing suicide
2. Kody Nicklin - Neural plasticity
3. Emma Schuetz - History of tattoos
4. Mishayla Diacon - Houseplants for beginners
5. Gustavo Hernandez Garcia - Dr. Simi and Mexican healthcare
6. Jonah Tevis-Gallaway - Federal interstate system

The Nall Speak Off was adjudicated by a panel of three from Washburn University: Andrew Rea, Washburn debate graduate assistant and current graduate student in Washburn's master's communication and leadership program, Heather Popejoy, director of student accessibility services and Dr. Melanie Worsley, associate provost of assessment and academic operations and criminal justice professor.

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Editor's Note: Participant Hometowns
Sophia Ambrose, Kumuda Gadtaula, Gustavo Hernandez Garcia, Bryson Leon, Aedyn Lowman, Henry Miller, Kody Nicklin and Jonah Tevis-Gallaway are from Topeka, Kan.

Eden Conrad is from Douglass, Kan.

Mishayla Diacon is from Rossville, Kan.

Maddex Moreno is from Howard, Kan.

Emma Schuetz is from Hoyt, Kan.

Christopher Thuma is from Auburn, Kan.