Speech Team competes in Categories of Dramatic and Humorous Interpretation, Declamation, Original Oratory, Program Oral Interpretation, and Congressional Debate. Practice is often, mostly when students are able to, as we are very considerate and flexible when it comes to other activities. There are 2 people on the team as of the end of the year, those being Captain Kalia Morris (Junior, Dramatic Interp Competitor) and Co-Captain Ashlyn McCabe (Freshman, Congressional Delegate). The coach is school technology coordinator Sean Sich. Competitions are routinely on Saturdays from Late October to Early February, with State being in March and Nationals being in June. People are placed into classrooms to run through rounds, each ranked and timed differently.
Tournaments attended this year were Boardman (10/25), Niles (11/08), Howland (11/15), Austintown (11/22), South Range (12/06), Canfield (1/03), Jackson-Milton (1/10), and the District Tournament (2/07).
Ashlyn’s most Memorable tournament this year would have been the home tournament, as it was the first ever tournament Jackson-Milton has ever hosted. This season was one of learning, placing did not occur unfortunately, however it did educate them on what they need to work on, and what category suits them best.
Mr. Sich stated, “The team has improved on understanding the fundamentals of this type of competition that has made me truly proud.”
Ashlyn stated, “3 words that I would use for the team would be; Dedicated, resourceful, and resilient. My favorite part has to have been standing back and seeing all I have done, who these people will become, and the thrill of competing. The skills I have gained are innumerable, being that of – Knowing how to dress in a professional setting, manners of performance, networking, finding my voice, speaking publicly without shame, being well spoken, how to walk in heels for hours at a time, deeper understandings of empathy, expression of emotions, channeling anxiety into something extraordinary, etc. I would tell someone interested in joining to purchase a good pair of shoes, to watch videos of debates or performances on the NSDA’s youtube, and to enjoy it and have fun with it. Most competitors get caught up in the thrill, that the season just zooms past you. Take a mental screenshot and appreciate the abilities before you, because you’ll miss it when its over.”
Great job to the speech team!
