On to section – from MLC, Caitlyn Smith, Elijah Stoesz, Josh Raabe, Danica Dick, Katelyn Fast; from MLHS, Ashley Watkins
Orators from both Mountain Lake schools had success at the Section 2A South Sub-Section Speech Meet on Monday, March 30, held at Fairmont Public High School. A total of six “Speechies” will advance to the Section 2A contest – five from Mountain Lake Christian (MLC) and one from Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS). (The Section 2A North Sub-Section competition was slated to be held today – Tuesday, March 31 – at Janesville/Waldorf/Pemberton Public High School.)
Advancing to the section from MLC will be Danica Dick, Josh Raabe, Caitlyn Smith, Elijah Stoesz and Katelyn Fast. Also heading to the section contest will be Ashley Watkins, representing MLHS.
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.
Following are the results for the two teams.
From MLC –
* Danica Dick ended in a three-way tie for first-place in Storytelling.
* Josh Raabe was second in Humorous Interpretation.
* Caitlyn Smith finished third in Great Speeches.
* Elijah Stoesz earned third-place in Informative Speaking.
* Katelyn Fast was fourth in Serious Prose.
Also competing at the meet was Melissa Lohrenz in Serious Poetry.
The MLC Speech Team is coached by Kim Friesen.
Parent Cheryl Dick served as a room manager at the tournament.
From MLHS –
* Ashley Watkins earned a fourth-place finish in Creative Expression.
* Kayla Vonk was fifth in Informative Speaking (first-alternate).
* David Hall finished sixth in Poetry (second-alternate).
Also competing for MLHS was Amy Bartsch in Humorous Interpretation.
The MLHS Speech Team is coached by Alisa Nickel.
The Section 2A Speech Meet will be held at St. Peter Public High School on Friday, April 10. The Class A State Speech Meet will be on Friday, April 17 at Lakeville North Public High School. The Class AA Meet is Saturday, April 18, also at Lakeville North. (Class A is composed of schools with 0-610 students and Class AA is composed of schools with enrollment of 611 or more students.)
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.
Thirteen categories in Speech Meet competition
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.
