Speaking Up For Speech
By Sarah Johnson
Posted Feb.26, 2016
Speech is an activity that many people do not know a whole lot about. Most people think that it’s going up in front of a big audience and generating a speech off the top of your head. This is not the case. There are 13 different categories in speech and each one allows you to talk about whatever topic you want. You pick a category that is right for you, then you practice that speech from mid-November to early April. The Speech team attends a meet every Saturday. At these meets they have to present their speech in front of one judge and a handful of other students in the same category.
The speech team is made up nine hardworking and talented students. These students practice three times a week for anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours. They also practice on their own at home. During these practices they present their speech to each other and help critique on what they could improve on.
Ms. Hanlon, the advisor for speech, said, “Speech is an opportunity for students to combine their interests in drama and creativity along with their desire to improve their public speaking skills.” It also helps students prepare themselves for the future. “Speech would be the No. 1 thing to help kids get higher position jobs and looks good on resumes and applications,” said Hanlon when asked why students should join speech. She continued by saying that speaking skills are something we all need to have in order to succeed. Speech is very helpful with that and you can have a good time while doing it.
A long time “Speechie”, Jake Fontaine, who is very passionate about speech would encourage others to try it out. “Speech is fun, the people are friendly, and the schedule is flexible,” said Fontaine. Fontaine is in the Informative category where he is able to do any topic to do research on and give a nine and a half to ten minute speech. “This category has taught me how to conduct better research because there are no confinements,” Fontaine added.
If you are looking to improve your speaking skills and want to make some good memories, speech is something to look into. If you are in a sport do not let that discourage you, as the schedule is flexible. The speech team has been doing well this year with a few students earning medals and ribbons. They have a meet this coming Saturday at Bemidji High School.
Posted Feb.26, 2016
Speech is an activity that many people do not know a whole lot about. Most people think that it’s going up in front of a big audience and generating a speech off the top of your head. This is not the case. There are 13 different categories in speech and each one allows you to talk about whatever topic you want. You pick a category that is right for you, then you practice that speech from mid-November to early April. The Speech team attends a meet every Saturday. At these meets they have to present their speech in front of one judge and a handful of other students in the same category.
The speech team is made up nine hardworking and talented students. These students practice three times a week for anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours. They also practice on their own at home. During these practices they present their speech to each other and help critique on what they could improve on.
Ms. Hanlon, the advisor for speech, said, “Speech is an opportunity for students to combine their interests in drama and creativity along with their desire to improve their public speaking skills.” It also helps students prepare themselves for the future. “Speech would be the No. 1 thing to help kids get higher position jobs and looks good on resumes and applications,” said Hanlon when asked why students should join speech. She continued by saying that speaking skills are something we all need to have in order to succeed. Speech is very helpful with that and you can have a good time while doing it.
A long time “Speechie”, Jake Fontaine, who is very passionate about speech would encourage others to try it out. “Speech is fun, the people are friendly, and the schedule is flexible,” said Fontaine. Fontaine is in the Informative category where he is able to do any topic to do research on and give a nine and a half to ten minute speech. “This category has taught me how to conduct better research because there are no confinements,” Fontaine added.
If you are looking to improve your speaking skills and want to make some good memories, speech is something to look into. If you are in a sport do not let that discourage you, as the schedule is flexible. The speech team has been doing well this year with a few students earning medals and ribbons. They have a meet this coming Saturday at Bemidji High School.