VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCSU) – Valley City State University (VCSU) junior Grady Hornung has qualified for the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament in North Carolina. Hornung earned his spot at nationals after placing 2nd in Dramatic Interpretation at a tournament this past weekend.

A native of Walhalla, N.D., Hornung now has the opportunity to compete at the national tournament running April 5-7 at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte.

Hornung is a member of the recently revived VCSU Speech Team which competed at the Valley Forensics League (VFL) tournament in Marshall, Minn., on Saturday, Jan. 25. Hornung, Tara Dahl and Alliana Freund competed in three events: Dramatic Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking and Dramatic Duo.

Hornung placed 2nd in Dramatic Interpretation. This placement also qualified him for the national tournament. Dramatic Interpretation is a speech based on a cutting from a play or plays of literary merit. The event focuses on the development of a character and a manuscript is required.

Dahl placed 2nd in Impromptu Speaking. This event focuses on topics derived from quotations. Speakers have seven minutes to prepare and deliver a speech about a particular topic.

Feature photo: L to R; Alliana Freund, Tara Dahl and Grady Hornung competed for VCSU at a speech tournament in Marshall, Minn., on Jan. 25.