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N.D. (NewsDakota.com)- On Saturday, April 8^th, the Valley City High School Speech Team traveled to the EDC Regional Tournament at Fargo Davies High School. We had a tremendous day and captured our 3^rd straight EDC Regional Championship. Additionally, I was honored to be named EDC coach of the year (voted for by my peers). Placing 2^nd as a team in the EDC was West Fargo-Sheyenne followed by West Fargo High School in 3^rd.

Individually the top half of competitors qualify for state competition. We managed to advance 26 students to state in 36 events. We had 5 EDC event champions. Individual results are as follows:

Speech to Inform: Makayla Nehlich- State Qualifier, Sharon Michael- State Qualifier, Jacob Berntson- 4^th (State Qualifier), Erik Johnson- 3^rd(State Qualifier)

Speech to Entertain: Catherine Meester- 4^th (State Qualifier), Rachel Borg- 2^nd (State Qualifier)

Radio Broadcasting: Jacob Jenness- State Qualifier, Eliza Johnson-8^th (State Qualifier)

Speech to Persuade: Libby Borg- 5^th (State Qualifier), Jacob Berntson- 5^th tie (State Qualifier), Rebecca Montecuollo- 4^th (State Qualifier), Sharon Michael- 1^st (State Qualifier)

Poetry: Tanaya Leifson- 8^th (State Qualifier), Monisha Terry- 3^rd (State Qualifier), Rose Marcellus- 1^st (State Qualifier)

Humorous: Madi Klabo- State Qualifier, Luke Plagens- State Qualifier, Dylan Quick- 4^th (State Qualifier), Andrew King- 3^rd (State Qualifier)

Dramatic: Talia Germann- 6^th (State Qualifier), Maggie Oberlander- 5^th (State Qualifier), Monisha Terry- 3^rd (State Qualifier), Rose Marcellus- 1^st (State Qualifier)

EPR: Abby Slyter- 3^rd (State Qualifier)

Extemp: Libby Borg- State Qualifier)

Serious Prose: Brooke Ask- State Qualifier, David Opdahl- 4^th (State Qualifier), Mikey Meester- 1^st tie (State Qualifier), Abby Slyter- 1^st tie (State Qualifier)

Serious Duo: Maggie Oberlander- 4^th (State Qualifier), David Opdahl/Tanaya Leifson- 3^rd (State Qualifier)

Humorous Duo: Sophie Boe/Olivia Slyter- State Qualifier, Talia Germann/Andrew King- 6^th (State Qualifier), Mikey Meester/Erik Johnson- 2^nd(State Qualifier)

Storytelling: Catherine Meester- State Qualifier, Elizabeth Gazeley- State Qualifier

 

On Sunday, April 9^th, we traveled to ND Roughrider National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) District tournament at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Mandan, ND for a chance to compete at the National Speech and Debate tournament to be held in Birmingham, Alabama June 18-23. In order to qualify for nationals you must be top 2 or three competitors from the event (depending on event size). You are not allowed to qualify in more than one event and your ranks from all competition at the district tournament determines the winner of the event (i.e. you may win the final round, but not be the winner of the event). Competition was held all day Monday and Tuesday. This is the most competitive speech tournament that we attend all year and involves some of the most talented teams and students from both Class A and Class B. This mixture of students along with different rules for NSDA competition as compared to North Dakota High School Activities Association creates a challenging experience. We still managed to have a very successful experience, even with many younger students at the tournament this year for us.

We had 12 events advance from preliminary competition into the semifinal round (the 2^nd most of any school). Semifinals are the top 12 competitors. From semifinals, we had 7 entries advance to the final round of competition (the 2^nd most of any school at the tournament). Finals are the top 6 competitors.  Results are as follows:

Informative Speaking: Sharon Michael advanced to Semifinals and placed 8^th.

POI: Rose Marcellus advanced to semifinals and placed 9^th, Maggie Oberlander advanced to finals and placed 4^th (2^nd alternate to national tournament), Abby Slyter advanced to finals and placed 3^rd (1^st alternate to national tournament).

Original Oratory: Libby Borg advanced to semifinals and placed 8^th, Sharon Michael advanced to finals and placed 5^th (3^rd alternate to national tournament), Abby Slyter advanced to finals and placed 3^rd (1^st Alternate to the national tournament).

Humorous Interpretation: Monisha Terry advanced to Semifinals and placed 7^th (4^th alternate to the national tournament)

US Extemp: Libby Borg advanced to finals and placed 2^nd (National Qualifier)

Dramatic: Monisha Terry advanced to semifinals and placed 11^th, Mikey Meester advanced to finals and placed 5^th (National Qualifier), Rose Marcellus advanced to finals and placed 1^st (National Qualifier).

 

If you would like to donate money to support these three amazing students trips to Nationals donations can be made to:

VCHS Speech Boosters

Attn. Mark Oberlander

240 3^rd St. NW

Valley City, ND 58072