Junior high speech team closes season

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Courtesy photo

The junior high speech team closed its season last week.

Ashlyn Ball, Staff Writer

Last Thursday, during the team’s final meet, twelve of the members on the Speech Team placed in their category.

Coach Mrs. Kathy Taylor says, “Overall it was a very successful season. Many students improved their public speaking skills throughout the season.”

Bellwood had 14 entries in six different categories: Drama, Duo , Impromptu, Persuasive, Poetry and Prose.  The following students placed.

  • Prose: Bridget Finochio 6th and Raela Zuiker 3rd
  • Persuasive: Sarah Berkowitz 4th, Abi Eckenrod 3rd and Emma Corrado 2nd
  • Drama: Lucy Wilson 6th
  • Duo: Rylee Poorman & Lydia Worthing 7th, Caedon Poe & Jayce Miller 5th and Trinity Riva & Kailynn Hinnish 4th

Zach Amato, who does Impromptu, explains how at first it was very uncomfortable in front of a lot of people but by the second one it was easier because he knew more people. While on the Speech Team, he “learned to talk in front of audiences and make up things on the go.”

Another student, Ethan Brown, said that he met a lot of new people and could make new friends easily. Sarah Berkowitz adds, “The other competitors were talented and so sweet.”

The ninth grade students will now move onto the High School Speech League season, which will begin in December. A high school judge, Daniel Kustaborder, commented how this junior high group seems much more competitive than when he competed.

Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Alyssa Cunningham would also like to thank all the high school students who volunteered their time to be judges for the junior high meets. “It would not be possible to run these without them,” said Mrs. Taylor.