Projects Archive
Fall 2025 Student Showcase – Protest & Social Change
Each semester, the Wake Speaks Center invites students from our COM-110 Public Speaking course to develop an original speech presentation on a rotating theme. The Fall 2025 showcase was our largest to date, with 7 speakers discussing a wide variety of examples of how protests and social movements are being transformed by/through digital technologies.
Learn More about the Presenters
Shepard Adamson
Speech Title: Simplify: A Day in the Life of “Petite” Protest
Bio: Shepard Adamson is a freshman from Richmond, Virginia, who intends to study business. She is exploring possible minors in Communication, Entrepreneurship, or Environmental Studies. In terms of activities, she is an active member of Wake Forest’s service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, and loves getting outdoors with Outdoor Pursuits. Her other passions include meeting new people, finding creative Pit hacks, and making people smile!
Cecily Martin
Speech Title: : Why Pause to Protest?
Bio: Cecily Martin is a freshman who is planning on majoring in Critical and Creative Media Studies with a minor in Marketing. She is from New York City and here at Wake forest she is a part of the Club tennis team, a writer for Her Magazine, and a member of Woof Forest.
Amanda Griffin
Speech Title: The Divided States of America: A Call to Be United Once More
Bio: Amanda Griffin is a current first-year student and an intended Finance and Decision Analytics major. She is original from Bedford Corners, NY, and here at Wake Forest she is a member of club lacrosse and equestrian team, as well as club member of Women in Business.
Olivia Sullivan
Speech Title: “The Power of Disagreement: Reimagining Education as the First Line Against Hate”
Bio: Olivia is a senior history major with minors in sociology and entrepreneurship. Originally from Houston, Texas, she is passionate about preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). At Wake Forest, she is actively involved in several campus organizations, including Jam for Janey, club basketball, and the 3 to 4 oz. literary magazine.
Samantha Heyison
Speech Title: Why The Time is Now to Educate Yourselves on the Paralympics
Bio: Samantha Heyison is a Junior whose major is Communication with minors in entrepreneurship and marking communication. She is originally from Adamstown, Maryland and here at Wake Forest she is an athlete on the track and field team as a discus and shot put thrower.
Riley Maguire
Speech Title: The Power of a Scroll: How TikTok Spark Awareness and Activism
Bio: Riley Maguire is a freshman with an intended major in Accounting and minor in Spanish. She is originally from Nahant, Massachusetts and here at Wake Forest, she is an active member of the Management Consulting Club, Hit the Bricks Ambassador, and enjoys playing pickleball.
Annie Beargie
Speech Title: “ICE Protests in Portland: The Role of Humor and Social Media in Modern Social Activism”
Bio: Annie Beargie is a sophomore with an intended major in Accountancy and minors in both Entrepreneurship and Psychology. She is from Hinsdale, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. At Wake Forest, she is involved in The Lilting Banshees Comedy Troupe, Chi Omega fraternity, and is an Ambassador in Admissions (WFU tour guide).