Sydney Franklin
Consultant & Master of Ceremonies
Sydney started her Empire journey nine years ago as a competitor. Dazzling the world from the witness stand, she captured the top witness award at Empire New York en route to her team's 5th place finish. Little did she know, this experience, which she has come to treasure, was a debut and not a finale; the pilot, you can say, in a long-running, exhilarating series that would be filled with highs and lows, laughs and tears. She has made close friends as part of the Empire Family, and appreciates the opportunities that allow for her voice and skills to impact a diverse array of communities.
As she approaches the ten year mark with Empire, Sydney serves two roles for the organization. She is a Consultant, leveraging her professional and mock trial experience to support the organization on a variety of different fronts, including assisting with case topic selection, alumni engagement, judge recruitment and team experience, to name a few. Notably, Sydney's passion for social justice, education and global citizenship aligns well with Empire's mission, and she works to ensure that Empire actively lives up to the ideals the organization has set for itself.
The role Sydney is perhaps known for—the one that has made her a household name in Empire circles—is that of Master of Ceremonies. There is no person who has emceed more Opening Ceremonies than Sydney Franklin. Using her boundless charisma and booming voice, Sydney pumps up the crowd and sets the tone for the weekend, delivering messages that assure students it is okay to make friends with an opponent because they're really not one and encouraging us all to celebrate one another for our differences. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Opening Ceremony is the most important event in shaping a student's Empire experience, and Sydney has played a pivotal role in developing the figurative Master of Ceremonies into the important purpose that the Master of Ceremonies serves today.
Over the years, Sydney has worn a variety of hats with the organization: Intern (2014), Associate (2015-2016), Master of Ceremonies (2015-present), Atlanta Program Coordinator (2017) and Consultant (2018-present). Each role has posed a unique set of challenges that Sydney has welcomed.
Sydney is a people person, who has been blessed with wonderful role models in her life. She would be remiss without highlighting one in particular: the late, great Peter Myers. 'Myers' was not just her mock trial coach; he was a friend, mentor and confidant. She would never have found Empire or Westminster College, her alma mater, without Myers. More importantly, she would not have found herself in the way that she has: Myers taught her how to believe in herself. Sydney captured a Top Attorney award at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in 2014 for which her thanks, in large part, goes to Peter Myers. After his untimely passing, Sydney helped Empire honor Myers as an Outstanding Educator, and recommended a Spirit of Empire Award at Empire New York be named after him.
Sydney holds a Bachelor of Arts in Security Studies and a minor in Spanish from Westminster College (MO). She currently supports an international training and capacity building program. She loves traveling and enjoys good food with her wonderful family and close friends. You can find Sydney outdoors, when the weather is cool, or on a long drive when the sun is shining. Sydney currently lives in D.C. and is enjoying building community in her free time. If you have any restaurant recommendations for the DMV, drop her a note!