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June 29, 2023Forty-six middle school students honed their public speaking and acting skills by competing in the April 29 Middle School Speech Tournament hosted by Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Speech and Debate.
The competition drew students from five schools: Belle Isle Middle School, Rosary Catholic School, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Oklahoma City, Saint Eugene Catholic School and Saint Mary Catholic School, Ponca City.
Speech and drama teacher Brett Young said the annual tournament was beneficial for the participants as well as the high school students.
“Our high school students serve as judges at the tournament, giving critiques and encouragement to help the students improve themselves,” Young said. “Our students compete at the regional, state and national level, so this is their chance to switch roles and be in the judge’s seat, which they love doing,” Young said.
In addition to developing confidence in public speaking, Young explained the speech tournament offered the middle school students a chance to further develop their creativity, expand their imagination and give them a voice to persuade and motivate audiences.
“We are hopeful that more schools will get involved and provide this opportunity for their students,” Young said. “Public speaking is one of the top fears for many people, so being involved in this helps alleviate this fear and improves their communication skills. Plus, it benefits them for any career they seek in the future,” Young said.
The finalists received a certificate, and the first-place winners received a certificate and a ribbon. The top three in each category are:
Prose/Storytelling - 5th and 6th grade
Andrea Contreras (Sacred Heart): 1st place
Charlie Weddle (Rosary): 2nd place
Coco Vaughn (Rosary): 3rd place
Poetry - 7th and 8th grade
There was a 3 way unbreakable tie for 1st place
Sarah Elder (Saint Eugene)
Luke Rank (Rosary)
Kai Dean (Belle Isle)
Standard Oratory - 5th and 6th grade
Pierce Carsey (Rosary): 1st place
Marie Riege (Rosary): 2nd place
Logan Riege (Rosary): 3rd place
Standard Oratory - 7th and 8th grade
Lucas Welch-Bell (Rosary): 1st Place
Molly Milligan (Rosary): 2nd Place
Olivia Chumo (Rosary): 3rd Place
Original Oratory - 5th and 6th grade
Marysabel Saravia Cortez (Rosary): 1st place
Izzy Ellison (Rosary): 2nd place
Aiden Calderon (Rosary): 3rd place
Original Oratory - 7th and 8th grade
Catalina Suarez (Rosary): 1st place
Monologue - 5th and 6th grade
Jessica Watts (Rosary): 1st place
There was a 3 way unbreakable tie for 2nd place
Jacob Guadalupe (Rosary)
Sydney Medina (Rosary)
Michelle Rodman (Rosary)
Monologue - 7th and 8th grade
Mary Krodel (Rosary): 1st place
Katelyn Guadalupe (Rosary): 2nd place
Claire Kellert (Belle Isle): 3rd place
Duet - 5th and 6th grade
Adalyn Xavier and Emma Hernandez (Rosary): 1st place
Duet - 7th and 8th grade
Shaun Petker and Nomar Renteria (Rosary): 1st place
Kellan Carsen and Paloma Torres (Rosary): 2nd place
