Speechsters begin season with seventh-place finish

On a typical Saturday during speech season, students can be found boarding a school bus before the break of dawn, traveling hours to reach a destination to perform.

While the possibility of those early morning trips still exist, Summerland speechsters were able to arrive at Saturday's competition site within minutes of leaving home.

Instead of competing at Wisner-Pilger Public School, speakers performed virtually via Zoom, at the Ewing site, in W-P's annual Practice Makes Perfekt meet.

Summerland coach Julie Harley said, "The virtual format ran more smoothly than I anticipated it would."

Summerland finished seventh in a field of 10 teams. Homer claimed the top spot, totaling 275 points. Twin River ended second, with 257 points.

Six Summerland students earned medals in five events.

Faith King earned the silver medal in informative speaking. Natalie Stallbaum placed fourth in serious prose.

In entertainment speaking, Jacob Behnk ended in fifth. Emily Nordby and Kyra Nilson placed fifth in duet acting.

Adrienne Parker earned a seventh-place medal in persuasive speaking.

Also competing were the duet acting teams of Madison Melcher and Ashley Melcher and Cody Wickersham and Levi Cronk; Olga Mendoza, poetry and Austin Muff, humorous prose.

The Bobcats will host the Summerland Invite, Jan. 23, in Clearwater.