STERLING — For the fourth consecutive year and fifth time in school history, Sterling College Forensics team has had a team member qualify for the National Interstate Oratory Competition. Paige Sherraden, a junior from Plainville, qualified by virtue of her performance throughout the season. Sherraden is one of two students from the state of Kansas that is afforded the opportunity to compete at the annual competition. With such an elite field, all bidding to be considered the most persuasive, the competition is fierce. 

“I am thrilled for Paige. She is consistently the hardest worker on the team and never fails to exceed expectations. She established qualifying for this competition as a goal during her freshman year and has been working hard to attain it ever since,” said Ken Troyer, forensics coach. 

This year marks the 146th Interstate Oratory competition, which is the oldest intercollegiate speaking competition in the United States. Sherraden becomes only the sixth Sterling College student to qualify for the competition and only the second-ever Sterling College State Champion in Persuasive Speaking. In addition to the elite competition, each qualifier will have a copy of their research and speech published in a compilation to include all qualifiers works.

Sterling College earned this qualification competing amongst the likes of Kansas State University, Bethel College, Ottawa University, Friends University, Kansas Wesleyan University and many more. The Interstate Oratory Tournament will take place April 23-24, being held virtually.