Welcome to the 2023 Regional Cluster Contests!

Develop and hone your skills in impromptu speaking, selling your personal brand in an elevator pitch, or applying to a job. These student competitions offer a welcoming and fun space to practice and receive constructive feedback, and help you step into any professional setting with confidence!

All contestants must submit their application for the appropriate contest by 11:59 PM Eastern Time two weeks before the cluster date. See deadlines below for each cluster: 

  1. Region 2 & 3: Sept. 15, 2023 *Extended to Sept. 16 due to a system error*
  2. Region 1: Sept. 22, 2023
  3. Region 4 & 5: Oct. 6, 2023
  4. Region 6: Oct. 27, 2023

Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted for participation.


Eligibility: 

  • Contestants are required to be active (registered on website: Register or Renew | MANRRS
  • MANRRS undergraduate students can participate in the Impromptu, Elevator Speech, or Interview Contests
  • MANRRS graduate students can participate in the Interview Contest
  • Contestants must attend the regional cluster. No waiver of cluster registration fee is granted to participants. 


Ready to enter a Contest? Select the contest below.

You will need to register for a submittable account to submit your entry. Please only register for the contests in your region! Each region will have its own contest division. 

View complete contest guidelines HERE


General Description
The Impromptu Public Speaking Contest is designed to develop the ability of collegiate undergraduate MANRRS members to express themselves on a given subject without having prepared or rehearsed its content in advance. The contest provides an opportunity to grow public speaking skills and critical thinking as contestants formulate their speeches in a limited amount of time. The competition requires contestants to think quickly, present concisely and persuasively, and provide sufficient responses to questions posed by judges based on their speech.
Format
 

  • Up to 15 contestants per Region can compete. Only two contestants are allowed from any individual Chapter. Independent collegiate undergraduate members of the society are permitted to compete but must provide proof of enrollment within an institution that is located within the general geographical boundaries of a Region. Entry into the contest is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The Contest Superintendent will randomly assign speech topics and contestant order in advance of the Regional Competitions or National Competition.
  • Contestants are given ten (10) minutes to prepare a two-to-four minute speech using any electronically available resources.

Contest Rules:
 

  • Only active collegiate undergraduate members are permitted to compete.
  • Contestants are required to dress in business casual clothing. Attire is part of the Stage Presence judging category.


 

General Description
The Impromptu Public Speaking Contest is designed to develop the ability of collegiate undergraduate MANRRS members to express themselves on a given subject without having prepared or rehearsed its content in advance. The contest provides an opportunity to grow public speaking skills and critical thinking as contestants formulate their speeches in a limited amount of time. The competition requires contestants to think quickly, present concisely and persuasively, and provide sufficient responses to questions posed by judges based on their speech.
Format
 

  • Up to 15 contestants per Region can compete. Only two contestants are allowed from any individual Chapter. Independent collegiate undergraduate members of the society are permitted to compete but must provide proof of enrollment within an institution that is located within the general geographical boundaries of a Region. Entry into the contest is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The Contest Superintendent will randomly assign speech topics and contestant order in advance of the Regional Competitions or National Competition.
  • Contestants are given ten (10) minutes to prepare a two-to-four minute speech using any electronically available resources.

Contest Rules:
 

  • Only active collegiate undergraduate members are permitted to compete.
  • Contestants are required to dress in business casual clothing. Attire is part of the Stage Presence judging category.


 

General Description
The Impromptu Public Speaking Contest is designed to develop the ability of collegiate undergraduate MANRRS members to express themselves on a given subject without having prepared or rehearsed its content in advance. The contest provides an opportunity to grow public speaking skills and critical thinking as contestants formulate their speeches in a limited amount of time. The competition requires contestants to think quickly, present concisely and persuasively, and provide sufficient responses to questions posed by judges based on their speech.
Format
 

  • Up to 15 contestants per Region can compete. Only two contestants are allowed from any individual Chapter. Independent collegiate undergraduate members of the society are permitted to compete but must provide proof of enrollment within an institution that is located within the general geographical boundaries of a Region. Entry into the contest is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The Contest Superintendent will randomly assign speech topics and contestant order in advance of the Regional Competitions or National Competition.
  • Contestants are given ten (10) minutes to prepare a two-to-four minute speech using any electronically available resources.

Contest Rules:
 

  • Only active collegiate undergraduate members are permitted to compete.
  • Contestants are required to dress in business casual clothing. Attire is part of the Stage Presence judging category.


 

General Description  

The Elevator Speech contest is to sell your personal brand and your MANRRS Why. Imagine you are in an elevator with a professional and they ask you to introduce yourself and MANRRS. You have 60 seconds to share who you are and how MANRRS has helped elevate your success. Additional aids, materials, or props are not permitted. This contest is open to any MANRRS undergraduate student member. 


Format 

  • The order of presentation will be randomly assigned in advance by the Superintendent prior to the cluster.
  • Each contestant will be granted a total of 60 seconds to prepare a speech about their personal brand and MANRRS Why. 
  • Every 1 second the speech goes over the time limit will result in a 1 point deduction. 
  • Judging will be conducted on site and score sheets will be provided. Judges are expected to provide comments and constructive feedback on score sheets. 
  • Judges criteria is based on presentation (General Appearance, Posture, Enthusiasm), voice (Projection, Control, Volume, Clarity), language (Articulation, Grammar), organization (Structure, Order), style (Demeanor, Confidence), and content (Value, Effectiveness, Appropriateness to MANRRS mission). 
  • The top 3 scoring contestants will be recognized and receive certificates. 

General Description  

The Elevator Speech contest is to sell your personal brand and your MANRRS Why. Imagine you are in an elevator with a professional and they ask you to introduce yourself and MANRRS. You have 60 seconds to share who you are and how MANRRS has helped elevate your success. Additional aids, materials, or props are not permitted. This contest is open to any MANRRS undergraduate student member. 


Format 

  • The order of presentation will be randomly assigned in advance by the Superintendent prior to the cluster.
  • Each contestant will be granted a total of 60 seconds to prepare a speech about their personal brand and MANRRS Why. 
  • Every 1 second the speech goes over the time limit will result in a 1 point deduction. 
  • Judging will be conducted on site and score sheets will be provided. Judges are expected to provide comments and constructive feedback on score sheets. 
  • Judges criteria is based on presentation (General Appearance, Posture, Enthusiasm), voice (Projection, Control, Volume, Clarity), language (Articulation, Grammar), organization (Structure, Order), style (Demeanor, Confidence), and content (Value, Effectiveness, Appropriateness to MANRRS mission). 
  • The top 3 scoring contestants will be recognized and receive certificates. 

General Description  

The Elevator Speech contest is to sell your personal brand and your MANRRS Why. Imagine you are in an elevator with a professional and they ask you to introduce yourself and MANRRS. You have 60 seconds to share who you are and how MANRRS has helped elevate your success. Additional aids, materials, or props are not permitted. This contest is open to any MANRRS undergraduate student member. 


Format 

  • The order of presentation will be randomly assigned in advance by the Superintendent prior to the cluster.
  • Each contestant will be granted a total of 60 seconds to prepare a speech about their personal brand and MANRRS Why. 
  • Every 1 second the speech goes over the time limit will result in a 1 point deduction. 
  • Judging will be conducted on site and score sheets will be provided. Judges are expected to provide comments and constructive feedback on score sheets. 
  • Judges criteria is based on presentation (General Appearance, Posture, Enthusiasm), voice (Projection, Control, Volume, Clarity), language (Articulation, Grammar), organization (Structure, Order), style (Demeanor, Confidence), and content (Value, Effectiveness, Appropriateness to MANRRS mission). 
  • The top 3 scoring contestants will be recognized and receive certificates. 

General Description 

The Interview Contest is an opportunity to practice the real-life skills needed to apply for a job. Specifically, this contest serves as a development opportunity for students to receive feedback and constructive critiques on their cover letter and resume writing, and interview skills. The contest is divided into two divisions: (1) undergraduate students and (2) graduate students. The contest is also divided into two rounds: 

(1) Preliminary round: Participants will prepare a resumé and cover letter for one position of their choice from the Interview Contest Job Descriptions.

Undergrad Div Job Descriptions

Grad Div Job Descriptions

(2) Final round: Top 5 finalists per division compete in mock interviews at the regional cluster. Non-finalists receive priority in participating in the Branding You: Mock Interview session. 


 

Format 

  1. This contest has two divisions: (1) undergraduate and (2) graduate and includes two rounds of review. 
  2. In the preliminary round, contestants choose one position to “apply” to based on the provided job description in the application form. Contestants should submit a resume and cover letter specific to the position they are “applying” to by tailoring their own personal skills and experiences, in addition to skills and experiences they may add in the future, that align with the skills and experiences the job description is asking for. Remember that this contest is a simulation of the job application process and contestants may have limited or no experience. In these cases, consider highlighting transferable skills from classes or co-curriculars. It is acceptable to describe skills and experiences that you have not yet had (but would fit the requirements of the job description) in your resume, cover letter, and/or the interview portions of this contest. Just make sure to remove embellishments for future real applications! 
  3. At least three judges will review cover letters and resume submissions prior to the onsite regional cluster within the Submittable platform. Judges are expected to provide comments and constructive feedback within Submittable. Scores are due by one week prior to the cluster date. 
  4. The top 5 scoring submissions per graduate and undergraduate division will advance to compete in the onsite interview contest. Finalists will be notified at the latest, by the Monday of each cluster week.  
  5. In the final round, each finalist will spend 20 min in front of a panel of judges (3-5).                
    1. Finalists will conduct a mock interview for a total of 10-13 minutes. Mock interview questions and a score sheet will be provided on site for judges. 
    2. Following the mock interview, judges and finalists have 7 minutes to go through the rubric and discuss what went well during the interview and any areas of improvement. 
    3. The top 3 scoring finalists per division will be recognized as winners and receive certificates.

      
     

General Description 

The Interview Contest is an opportunity to practice the real-life skills needed to apply for a job. Specifically, this contest serves as a development opportunity for students to receive feedback and constructive critiques on their cover letter and resume writing, and interview skills. The contest is divided into two divisions: (1) undergraduate students and (2) graduate students. The contest is also divided into two rounds: 

(1) Preliminary round: Participants will prepare a resumé and cover letter for one position of their choice from the Interview Contest Job Descriptions.

Undergrad Div Job Descriptions

Grad Div Job Descriptions

(2) Final round: Top 5 finalists per division compete in mock interviews at the regional cluster. Non-finalists receive priority in participating in the Branding You: Mock Interview session. 


 

Format 

  1. This contest has two divisions: (1) undergraduate and (2) graduate and includes two rounds of review. 
  2. In the preliminary round, contestants choose one position to “apply” to based on the provided job description in the application form. Contestants should submit a resume and cover letter specific to the position they are “applying” to by tailoring their own personal skills and experiences, in addition to skills and experiences they may add in the future, that align with the skills and experiences the job description is asking for. Remember that this contest is a simulation of the job application process and contestants may have limited or no experience. In these cases, consider highlighting transferable skills from classes or co-curriculars. It is acceptable to describe skills and experiences that you have not yet had (but would fit the requirements of the job description) in your resume, cover letter, and/or the interview portions of this contest. Just make sure to remove embellishments for future real applications! 
  3. At least three judges will review cover letters and resume submissions prior to the onsite regional cluster within the Submittable platform. Judges are expected to provide comments and constructive feedback within Submittable. Scores are due by one week prior to the cluster date. 
  4. The top 5 scoring submissions per graduate and undergraduate division will advance to compete in the onsite interview contest. Finalists will be notified at the latest, by the Monday of each cluster week.  
  5. In the final round, each finalist will spend 20 min in front of a panel of judges (3-5).                
    1. Finalists will conduct a mock interview for a total of 10-13 minutes. Mock interview questions and a score sheet will be provided on site for judges. 
    2. Following the mock interview, judges and finalists have 7 minutes to go through the rubric and discuss what went well during the interview and any areas of improvement. 
    3. The top 3 scoring finalists per division will be recognized as winners and receive certificates.

      
     

General Description 

The Interview Contest is an opportunity to practice the real-life skills needed to apply for a job. Specifically, this contest serves as a development opportunity for students to receive feedback and constructive critiques on their cover letter and resume writing, and interview skills. The contest is divided into two divisions: (1) undergraduate students and (2) graduate students. The contest is also divided into two rounds: 

(1) Preliminary round: Participants will prepare a resumé and cover letter for one position of their choice from the Interview Contest Job Descriptions.

Undergrad Div Job Descriptions

Grad Div Job Descriptions

(2) Final round: Top 5 finalists per division compete in mock interviews at the regional cluster. Non-finalists receive priority in participating in the Branding You: Mock Interview session. 


 

Format 

  1. This contest has two divisions: (1) undergraduate and (2) graduate and includes two rounds of review. 
  2. In the preliminary round, contestants choose one position to “apply” to based on the provided job description in the application form. Contestants should submit a resume and cover letter specific to the position they are “applying” to by tailoring their own personal skills and experiences, in addition to skills and experiences they may add in the future, that align with the skills and experiences the job description is asking for. Remember that this contest is a simulation of the job application process and contestants may have limited or no experience. In these cases, consider highlighting transferable skills from classes or co-curriculars. It is acceptable to describe skills and experiences that you have not yet had (but would fit the requirements of the job description) in your resume, cover letter, and/or the interview portions of this contest. Just make sure to remove embellishments for future real applications! 
  3. At least three judges will review cover letters and resume submissions prior to the onsite regional cluster within the Submittable platform. Judges are expected to provide comments and constructive feedback within Submittable. Scores are due by one week prior to the cluster date. 
  4. The top 5 scoring submissions per graduate and undergraduate division will advance to compete in the onsite interview contest. Finalists will be notified at the latest, by the Monday of each cluster week.  
  5. In the final round, each finalist will spend 20 min in front of a panel of judges (3-5).                
    1. Finalists will conduct a mock interview for a total of 10-13 minutes. Mock interview questions and a score sheet will be provided on site for judges. 
    2. Following the mock interview, judges and finalists have 7 minutes to go through the rubric and discuss what went well during the interview and any areas of improvement. 
    3. The top 3 scoring finalists per division will be recognized as winners and receive certificates.

      
     

MANRRS