• Baylor junior takes 1st place at state’s oldest speech contest

    Taylor Dodson with Battle of Flowers President Anne Ballantyne

    In 1891, the women of San Antonio began a parade to honor the memory of the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. Over time, other activities joined the lineup: additional parades, kings and queens being crowned, and a variety of competitions, all part of the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta San Antonio. (Think Mardi Gras, done Texas-style.)

    Since 1926, the Battle of Flowers has sponsored a speech competition for Texas college and university students to foster an appreciation of the state’s history; the Battle of Flowers Oratorical Contest is now the oldest university-level forensics contest in Texas. And, as is befitting the state’s oldest continuously operating university, this year’s winner comes from Baylor.

    Junior Taylor Dodson took first place in this year’s competition for her speech, “Waco Village: The Truth Through Myth.” As the winner, Dodson — a theater performance and communications studies double-major from Ennis, Texas — received a $3,000 prize and will get to perform her speech for a crowd of 600 at the Battle of Flowers Luncheon later this month, during Fiesta Week. She will also ride in the 123rd Battle of Flowers Parade through downtown San Antonio on April 25.

    Sic ’em, Taylor!

    [We learned of this note from a Bear who shared his Baylor pride. Do you know of an inspiring story, news item, or just a fun link that makes you proud of Baylor and the Baylor family? Let us know! Click here to submit your point of pride!]