Performing a speech is hard, even harder when a person isn’t confident in their public speaking abilities. At Cannon Falls High School, there is a Speech Team that helps grow these abilities. From late November to the following April, students on the team work tirelessly to perfect their abilities and their speeches.
This year, almost the entire team went to Subsections at Chatfield on April 7, and eighteen students moved on to Sections on April 12. Out of the eighteen, ten moved on to State for their categories. Category champions from Sections are Hades Kammerude in Creative Expression, Grace Parks in Info, Adalaide Anderson and Grace Churchill in Poetry, Lince Otterness in Great Speeches, Aydria Baker in Original Oratory, Wil Brokate in Humor, Aubry Conway in Storytelling, Lauren Capell in Extemp Reading, and Emily Churchill in Prose.
Two members of the team received awards. Senior Grace Parks and sophomore Emily Churchill both received eighth-place awards. When Grace was asked about their experience at the state competition this year, they said, “It felt great to make it to state my senior year. I’ve been to State every year since my freshman year, and I was so excited that I would keep my streak up! While my placing at state was low, I’m just happy I finalled and received a medal. I’m so grateful that I got the chance to compete with such wonderful people in my final round. My medal was a great achievement to end my speech career.”
Grace was also asked what they would tell someone interested in joining the team. They said, “If someone wanted to join the team, I’d tell them to go for it. Speech is such a valuable and worthwhile activity. Everyone can find their place in speech, and the skills they learn will stick with them forever.” Coach Holly Winget was asked the same question, and she responded with, “As recently as 2019, the number one fear of people was public speaking. Face your fears. Join speech. It’s the most useful of all the activities as you will be expected to speak to different groups of people for the rest of your life.”
Speech can be exhilarating, yet exhausting, but these Speechies have worked tirelessly this year to improve their speeches and be the best they can be. Ten students went to State, and although not everyone received an award, no one can deny that it was an exhilarating experience.
