Middle School

A good speech is like a pencil; it always has a point to it. The 2016-2017 speech team has fourteen new middle school speech members. Returning speechies are always very welcoming to the new members and are helpful by making them feel comfortable. Some people think writing a speech is the hardest part, while others dread presenting their speech to an audience. The team continues to grow each year by gaining not only high school members, but middle school too. There is a number of categories to choose from and there is so many unique opinions from the new middle school speech members.

Throughout the speech season there has been recurring and brand new speech members. While interviewing Bianca Caputo, a seventh grader, she stated that, “I am definitely nervous for the new season.” This marks Caputo’s second year of being an extemporaneous reader. On the other hand, another middle school member, had completely opposite thoughts on this current speech season. Owen Edstrom, a first year speech member as an eighth grader, proudly exclaimed, “I am not nervous for this speech season at all.”

There are thirteen categories to choose from including storytelling, poetry, drama, duo, humorous, extemporaneous reading, extemporaneous speaking, informative, creative expression, great speeches, original oratory, prose, and discussion. Every category has some differences and are each very unique. Although the three most popular categories are humorous, prose, and extemporaneous reading. First of all, humorous allows one to be their funny, goofy self by reading a comedy script.  Then, in prose, one picks a section from a novel and reads it word for word. Last of all there is extemporaneous reading, is when a speechie draws a topic from a hat on the day of competition and presents it. “I am in extemporaneous reading and this season I am excited for going to my very first competition which is coming up soon.” Aizlynn Thim, eighth grader, stated. Competition is every Saturday for the next three months.

Overall the middle school speech members are eager for the amazing season to come. Although the fourteen new speech members may be nervous and excited, they are bound to have success. From humor to prose, there are many categories to choose from. So sharpen your pencils and get ready for a great season.