Inspiring Voices - 2025 C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest Winners
On March 12, 2025, three University of Waterloo students based at Conrad Grebel University College competed in the Annual C. Henry Smith Oratorical Speech Contest established by the late C. Henry Smith in 1974. Each student presented their speech to a panel of judges along with an audience of staff, faculty, and students. Teena Faust, a second-year Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) and Philosophy student, was awarded first place and a cash price of $1000. She will represent Grebel and the University of Waterloo at the bi-national speech competition later this year. Ella Funk, a fourth-year English Creative and Professional Writing student, won second place and a cash prize of $500. Finally, in third place, winning a cash prize of $300, was Lucas Shumaker, a third-year international student studying Environment Engineering.
Dr. Reina Neufeldt, Chair and Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies explains that “the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest provides a platform for students to articulate the surprising, compelling, and deeply personal ways that Christian peace teachings are relevant today. Students explore ways that scripture helps resource their efforts to challenge injustices and contribute to nonviolent peacemaking; in doing so they are revitalizing the peace church tradition that informs our programs at Conrad Grebel.”
First place winner, Teena Faust wrote and presented her speech “Not Just a Prayer” which emphasized the idea of transformative power of faith in action. Through her personal reflections, Teena shared her experiences of serving in a kitchen where faith goes beyond words and prayers to become tangible acts of kindness and community building. “Faith is action. Faith is the warmth of a meal placed in someone's hands, the kindness exchanged over a shared task, the simple and radical act of showing up for another person. But faith is also community. No one serves alone. No one heals alone. No one builds peace alone”. Her powerful message encourages others to embody faith through service, justice, and love transforming belief into action.
Second place winner, Ella Funk’s speech, “Lowering our Swords: Lessons on Speaking Peace” challenges the notion that pacifism is naive, arguing instead that peace is a complex and necessary pursuit in a world inclined towards violence and division. Ella spoke about the biblical verse Matthew 26:52, “Put your sword back in its sheath. Those who live by the sword die by the sword”, highlighting this verse to advocate for nonviolence even in the face of aggression. She argues that like Jesus, we must choose peace and seek to understand the complexities of our world rather than resorting to violence. She calls for a commitment to peace through thoughtful and compassionate dialogue, where true strength lies in the ability to choose peace over conflict.
Third place winner, Lucas Shumaker focused their speech on “When You Are Different”, sharing his personal journey of self-discovery and resilience as a member of a marginalized community. They emphasize the importance of creating one’s own community and educating oneself about their history and rights, especially when mainstream institutions fail to acknowledge their existence. “Help us be the peacemakers, help us be able to live without every breath being an act of resistance, because that’s all we really want. To survive and thrive without our existence being a form of resistance”. Lucas’s speech is a strong reminder of the need for genuine support and active efforts to create meaningful change.
These speeches act as a reminder that peace is not a passive state but an active, ongoing commitment to justice, compassion, and understanding. These students have not only honored the legacy of C. Henry Smith but continue to showcase the lasting impact of faith, peace, and resilience in today’s world.
By Brooke Driscoll
Photo (left to right): Ella Funk, Teena Faust, Lucas Shumaker