In the contest, upperclass students deliver memorized selections from English, Greek or Latin literature.
Participants in this year's competition said they were disappointed that rhetoric is not as praised today as it used to be in the past.
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Last year's winner, First Class Marshal Amma Y. Ghartey-Tagoe '01, said that this type of public speaking is lacking in today's college education.
"Harvard needs a public speaking class," she said.
Nevertheless, Ghartey-Tagoe said she was impressed by the talent of this year's contestants. She praised the winners on a job well done.
"Do you guys realize that this is one of the most prestigious awards at Harvard?" she demanded of Amo and Gatten.