Dressed in armor, Dakota Miller gives a presentation about creating a medieval combat sports league in Columbus during Ignite Columbus at Helen Haddad Hall on Thursday.
One person showed up in full, protective armor. Another wore such vulnerability that she talked of the pain of an abortion years ago. And still another opened herself up so broadly that she spoke of living vibrantly and successfully with autism.
All that and more unfolded in two hours Thursday at Helen Haddad Hall at Ignite Columbus. That’s the event in which people from all perspectives share business and personal ideas and concepts to build the economy, awareness, unity, you name it — and all in speedy, five-minute, public pitches consisting of 20 slides sliding by in brisk, 15-second intervals for each graphic.
Some people do elevator speeches; these were more like elevation speeches, on uplifting topics ranging from keeping one’s personal peace amid stress to a heartwarming, Mayberryesque plan to fully restore the recently cancelled annual Festival of Lights Parade in 2023.
The set of 11 speakers — the latest in a series of Ignite events, with the last one in April — shared their wisdom in front of about a 90-person crowd that included representatives from city government, the organizing Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, churches and more.
Emcee Phil Luzius called the gathering, one of several such Ignite get-togethers in the past few years, “a showcase of great ideas from our community.”
Republic reporter Jana Wieserma gives a presentation about autism awareness and being diagnosed with autism in high school during Ignite Columbus at Helen Haddad Hall on Thursday. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
In the end, a three-person judging panel named Dakota Miller the winner in the competition’s innovation category, earning him a $750 prize with his dramatic and unique presentation on armored team fighting, which he called “sort of the new wave of mixed martial arts.” He donned complete metal armor for his speech, and told of how the activity has given him such confidence that he wants to share the hobby — with ample padding and safety — with area youth as a character-building exercise.
“It is full contact (with adults), very brutal, and it is very fulfilling,” Miller said, looking a bit like a glorious knight of lore.
He was one of several of the presenters who somewhat haltingly told the audience at the outset that he was no polished, public speaker. But Ignite rests on a solid platform of encouragement of every presenter. And that means wild, even sometimes raucous applause before each speaker even begins. One could see some exhale and slightly smile through nerves Thursday in a bit of relief when the audience extended affirmation in at atmosphere that often bordered on the warm fuzzies.
Cindy Frey, Chamber president, mentioned afterward that such support is a key to Ignite’s success at attracting a broad cross-section of the community to both present speeches and attend to listen respectfully.
Presenter Jana Wiersema, a Republic reporter, focused her pitch on autism education and awareness, touchingly telling her own story of being diagnosed in high school. She spoke minutes after Miller, and used that as an lighthearted opener.
“I don’t have a suit of armor, so I thought I would just wear this,” she said of her casual jean jacket attire as the audience laughed.
She acknowledged her diagnosis “kind of freaked me out at first because I barely knew what autism was. It’s not how I feel now.”
She emphasized that education is a key to building the public’s understanding. Websites define autism as a developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized in part by difficulty in social interaction and communication. She covered aspects of both, and mentioned how her choice of career might sometimes seem at odds with her daily challenges.
“Eye contact is sometimes uncomfortable for me, and I don’t always pick up on other people’s body language,” she said.
Judges picked up on her disarming frankness and selected her presentation as the winner in the most enlightening category, awarding her $750.
Artist Olivia George gives a presentation about public art and murals during Ignite Columbus at Helen Haddad Hall on Thursday. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Artist Olivia George won $500 and the people’s choice award for her pitch to do murals throughout various parts of the city. Her slides on her selected theme “A Spark in the Dark” showed possibilities of her grand, colorful scenes on structures such as The Crump Theater.
“Art,” George said, “inspires people and draws people together.”
Here’s to the winners:
The Ignite Columbus competition, which has spawned two business startups, named three winners Thursday in its latest round of friendly competition. They were:
- Most innovative: Dakota Miller, speaking on his transformation through armored team fighting
- Most enlightening: Jana Wiersema, speaking on autism education and awareness
- People’s choice: Olivia George, with her pitch to do elaborate murals throughout Columbus
German-American Bank was the main sponsor of the event.
Sarah Joyner tells her story during Ignite Columbus at Helen Haddad Hall on Thursday about having an abortion at the age of 18, how it impacted her life, and resources to help women who’ve had an abortion. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Angelite Narvaez walks off the stage after giving a presentation about supporting Latino and immigrant entrepreneurs during Ignite Columbus at Helen Haddad Hall on Thursday.Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Maddie Paul, marketing and community relations manager for the Bartholomew County Public Library, gives a presentation about the various resources and programs available at the library during Ignite Columbus at Helen Haddad Hall on Thursday. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
