The OHS Speech team’s season is nearing its end, but the Minnesota State Speech Meet is still in sight. Last Thursday, April 11 the team attended their Section meet where 18 students advanced to finals. Eight had the honor of qualifying for the state meet.
From Humorous Interpretation to Duos, the state qualifiers span the many different speech categories and will bring quite a few unique and intriguing acts to their next meet. Those who qualified are Ava Kleeberger, Emma Green, Calista Seiler, Nora Johnson, Vitaly Bauer, Reuel Borkenhagen, Elijah Leon and Ayoub Farah.
Many of the students advancing to state are returners who competed in past years. OHS senior speech member Emma Green said, “I am super excited to be competing at state for the second year in a row. I am hoping that I advance more than last year and make it to finals.” Green will be presenting her Duo speech based on the movie “Drop Dead Gorgeous” with her partner and captain Ava Kleeberger. They have placed with this speech at many of their previous meets, including second at Sections. This will be their second year advancing to state as a duo.
Although most of the team is giving speeches with more lighthearted topics, the Prose category can be quite competitive and touching. OHS senior speech member Calista Seiler said, “The competition will be tough, but I know that it will be a great experience. I can’t wait to see other talented speakers and I am proud of all of my teammates who made it as well.” Seiler will be presenting her Prose speech that is about a girl losing her best friend at state. This speech has clearly been a success throughout the season as it earned her second place at Sections.
For many of the state participants, this will be their final season of speech. OHS senior speech member Nora Johnson said, “Speech has become one of the highlights of my school year.” Johnson will be attending state for the second year in a row, and will be speaking in the Humorous Interpretation category. Her speech is about a Midwestern Tupperware party in the 1960s and has caught the eye of many judges.
Although state will bring very difficult competition, the team has worked hard throughout the rest of their season. Some of the biggest achievements so far include placing second at the Red Wing meet, second at Sections, and being Big 9 champions. Head speech coach Marcia Anderson said, “I hope they go and have fun. I hope they go and they speak their heart out and give it their all.”
The next step for these OHS Speech members will take place this upcoming Saturday, April 20 at Shakopee High School. The state send off this Friday, April 19 at 2:50 in the OHS 3rd Floor flex space.
