Eight students studying communications at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus competed for scholarship funds during the biannual SpeakEasy competition Dec. 5 at the Columbus Learning Center.

Micah Simonton of Columbus took first place with his speech about the sport of curling. He won a $200 scholarship. Cash awards will be applied toward tuition for the 2016 spring semester.

Heather Lasley of Seymour gave a speech about bats for the event.

Classmates and instructors nominated the students selected for the competition based on the quality of their public speaking skills in the classroom, according to a news release from the university.

The contestants were judged by their delivery skills, speech structure, visual aids and overall presentation style.

Former state representative and Seymour Mayor Bill Bailey helped judge the competition.