By Jenni Royston, News and Media Studies major, Class of 2020
Photo courtesy of Battle of Flowers’ Facebook page
Michael Brown, a senior Communication Studies major in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication, won first place at the recent Battle of Flowers Oratorical Contest for his speech titled, “A Tiger by the Tail: Tex Hill and the Flying Tigers.” In previous years, Brown had finished second and fourth. He was one of two TCU students to participate in the oratorical contest this year.
Brown gave credit to Instructor Carrie Moore for his win after coming up short in the previous years. “She could have easily written me off and moved on to other students with more talent. Instead, she helped me see that I had the skills to be the best college speaker in the state and believed in me the whole time,” said Brown.
Photo of Michael Brown ’20 and Cage Sawyers ’20, the TCU students who competed in the 2020 Battle of Flowers Oratorical Contest. Photo courtesy of Carrie Moore
Brown said that all of his hard work had paid off and it was a huge relief. “I had a huge hunger to win. Not just for myself, but to prove TCU was just as talented as other, bigger schools in the state.”
The Battle of Flowers winner is awarded a $5,000 scholarship and another $2,500 for their school’s department as well as an invitation to ride in the Battle of Flowers float during Fiesta in San Antonio, the third largest parade behind Macy’s Day Parade and the Rose Parade. Lastly, Brown will have the opportunity to return to San Antonio in late April to deliver his award-winning speech to more than 550 people including many state and San Antonio dignitaries at the annual Fiesta luncheon.
Brown is hopeful that this win will boost his chances at being admitted into law schools and receiving scholarships.
To read more about Brown and his journey to the 2020 Battle of Flowers Oratorical Contest, click here.