Speech team takes first place

FAIRMONT — On Saturday, March 25, thirty-three participants of the Fairmont Speech Team competed at The Fairmont “Finale” Speech Tournament at Fairmont High School. In team sweepstakes, Fairmont took 1st place with 104 points, Marshall took 2nd place with 87 points, and Mankato West took 3rd place with 44 points.

In the varsity division: Senior Lauren Wheeler took 3rd place and Senior Sasha Franzen took 5th place in creative expression; Junior Selvin Forsythe took 5th place in dramatic interpretation; Junior Selvin Forsythe and Freshman Bel Lutterman took 1st place and Sophomores Grace Simpson and Oliver Thedens took 2nd place in duo interpretation; Sophomore Dominick Lund-May took 1st place and Junior Andrew Haefner took 5th place in extemporaneous speaking; Junior Isaiah Lockwood took 2nd place and Sophomore Dominick Lund-May took 5th place in great speeches; Freshman Thomas Hamlet took 1st place and Senior Christian Thom took 4th place in humorous interpretation; Senior Lilly Laven took 3rd place and Junior Sydney Blomster took 5th place in informative speaking; Junior Isaiah Lockwood took 2nd place, Junior Abi Peyman took 3rd place and Sophomore Alayna Haefner took 5th place in original oratory; Sophomore Grace Simpson took 2nd place in storytelling.

In the novice division: 7th grader Adriana Leiding took 6th place in discussion; 8th grader Leon Yang took 2nd place in humorous interpretation; 8th grader Norah Heille took 2nd place in prose.

Today, March 27, Fairmont hosts the MSHSL Subsection 2A South Speech Contest. Fairmont competes in the South subsection with the teams from River Valley, Martin County West, Alden Conger, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, and Madelia. Advancing finalists in each category will compete at the Section 2A Speech Contest hosted by JWP on April 14. Class A State Speech is April 29 at Eastview in Apple Valley. The Fairmont Speech Team is coached by Kathleen Walker, Erik Walker and Miles Duffey.