MLC Speech Team’s Caitlyn Smith, Elijah Stoesz, Josh Raabe and Danica Dick advance from sub-section
Four members of the Mountain Lake Christian (MLC) Speech Team will be moving on to compete in the Section 2A contest after qualifying in Sub-Section 5A, Section 2A competition held Monday, March 24, at Fairmont Public High School.
Caitlyn Smith, who finished second in Great Speeches and Elijah Stoesz, who was second in Informative Speaking, will advance to the next level, along with Josh Raabe, third in Humorous Interpretation and Danica Dick, third in Storytelling.
Finishing as first-alternates were James Hamm, fifth in Humorous Interpretation and Katelyn Fast, fifth in Prose. Also participating was Melissa Lohrenz, finishing ninth in Poetry.
The Section 2A Speech Meet will be held at St. Peter Public High School on Friday, April 4. The Class A State Speech Meet will be on Saturday, April 12 at Blaine Public High School. The Class AA Meet is Friday, April 11, also at Blaine. (Class A is composed of schools with 0-610 students and Class AA is composed of schools with enrollment of 611 or more students.)
The top four place winners in each of the 13 speech categories advance to the Section Meet, while the fifth- and sixth-place finishers are alternates. At the sub-section meet, orators compete in two rounds. Those scores are then added together and the top 6-7 in each category move on to the Final Round. In the Final Round, three judges critique the performance, unlike the traditional one judge.
As a team, MLC finished fifth with 27 team points. Winning Sub-Section 5A was Fairmont with 122 points. They were followed by Jackson County Central, 64 points; Blue Earth Area, 35.5 points; Martin County West, 29.5 points and MLC, to round out the top five.
The MLC Speech Team is coached by Kim Friesen.
Also participating in the meet were orators from Mountain Lake Public School. The Mountain Lake coach is Alisa Nickel.
Thirteen categories in Speech
The 13 categories offered in Speech are Creative Expression, Discussion, Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Reading, Extemporaneous Speaking, Great Speeches, Humorous Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Serious Interpretation of Drama, Serious Interpretation of Poetry, Serious Interpretation of Prose and Storytelling.
* Creative Expression – Speaker presents an original, creative piece. They are judged on writing as well as delivery.
* Discussion – Students are given up to an hour to discuss in a small group, and come to a cooperative agreement or compromise on a given prompt.
* Duo Interpretation – A pair of speakers present a piece together. Body contact is not allowed and speakers are only allowed eye contact with each other during the introduction and transitions.
* Extemporaneous Reading – Speaker draws three “cuttings” (a portion of a story) from a selection of around 20 short stories. The speaker chooses one of the three to read, and is given thirty minutes to practice it and memorize and introduction.
* Extemporaneous Speaking – Speaker draws three national or international current event questions, and is given 30 minutes to prepare a seven minute speech on the drawn topic of their choice.
* Great Speeches – Speaker presents on a historically great speech, including an analysis and sections of the original speech.
* Humorous Interpretation – Speaker presents a humorous selection from a play, prose or poem.
* Informative Speaking – Speaker presents an original, unbiased speech on the topic of their choice with the purpose to inform. They are also permitted to use posters or other visual aids to enhance their presentation.
* Original Oratory – Speaker presents an original speech with the purpose of persuading the audience.
* Serious Interpretation of Drama – Speaker presents a serious monologue or selection from a play.
* Serious Interpretation of Poetry – Speaker presents a serious poem, selection of poems or portion of a poem.
* Serious Interpretation of Prose – Speaker presents a serious selection from a novel or short story.
* Storytelling – Speaker draws three from a selection of 15 folk tales, and presents their interpretation of it.
Photos of those in the top four and advancing to State
