17th Annual Oratory Student Showcase

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Juneau campus celebrated its 17th Annual Oratory Showcase on March 2, 2019, on the Auke Lake campus.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: March 6, 2019

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Juneau campus celebrated its 17th Annual Oratory Showcase on March 2, 2019, on the Auke Lake campus. Ten students accepted the challenge to present their topic of interest to an audience of observers. Topics spanned from inviting individuals to do random acts of kindness as part of meaningful connections with others to the need and impact of traditional languages in current times, to the gentrification of rural and remote communities, social problems facing our world, and economic development. Each student participating received a tuition waiver voucher which will be applied to the upcoming academic term.

Kolene James, coordinator for the UAS Native and Rural Student Center and event organizer shared, “A special thank you and congratulations to Wooch.Een, a UAS student club, for your heart and commitment to this healing event. With public speaking being the number one fear in the United States, ten of our students braved the microphone to raise awareness about global issues impacting our country, state, communities, and past-present-future self. I would also like to thank all of the volunteers with room setup, food preparation, and to our volunteer Uncles and Aunties for providing written feedback to our student orators. Without your participation, this event would not be possible.”

This annual event is co-sponsored by an Alaska Native Education & Equity grant in partnership with Sealaska Heritage Institute and the UAS Preparing Indigenous Teachers and Administrators for Alaska Schools (PITAAS) Program.

UAS’ Alaska Native Languages and Studies program examines three primary components of modern and historical Alaska Native life: language, art, and society. Taught by Alaska Native professors, language study courses focus on language revitalization through learning, documentation, and community activities. Learn more about programs available at UAS in Alaska Native Languages and other studies by visiting the website or by speaking with advisor at (907) 796-6100.