Fairmont Speech has successful weekend

FAIRMONT — Ten members of the Fairmont Speech Team competed at the Southern District National Qualifying Tournament for Speech hosted by Woodbury and Eagan High School on March 8-9 in the Twin Cities.

The National Speech & Debate Association was created in 1925 to provide recognition and support for high school students participating in speech and debate activities. To the school communities that participate in the NSDA, this association serves over 3,000 schools and 140,000 students and coaches across the country. Every summer, the weeklong National Tournament is held holding competitions in speech and debate. Last year, over 6,000 students competed at nationals.

Fairmont Freshman Leon Yang was the champion in Humorous Interpretation and qualified for the national tournament.

Fairmont Juniors Grace Simpson and Oliver Thedens placed 3rd in Duo Interpretation and qualified for the national tournament.

Fairmont Junior Grace Simpson placed 4th in Dramatic Interpretation and qualified for the national tournament. Grace Simpson elected to take Duo Interpretation with Oliver Thedens as the NSDA only allows for a student to take one main speech event to Nationals.

Fairmont Junior Oliver Thedens was a non-advancing semifinalist in program of Oral Interpretation.

Fairmont Sophomore Bel Lutterman was a non-advancing semifinalist in Dramatic Interpretation.

Fairmont Speech has qualified for Nationals at this Southern District Tournament in the years of 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The Last-Chance National Qualifying Tournament is held virtually on April 25-27, 2024.

The National Speech & Debate Tournament will be held June 16-21, in Des Moines, Iowa.

On March 9, six members of the Fairmont Speech Team competed at the Eagan “Wildcat” Speech Tournament hosted by Eagan High School. With nearly 1,000 entries at this tournament, three students advanced to final rounds.

Freshman Allie Streit took 6th place in Prose Finals; Senior Isaiah Lockwood took 6th place in Next-In Great Speeches Finals; and Senior Sydney Blomster took 3rd place in Consolation Informative Speaking Finals.

Also on March 9, eighteen members of the Fairmont Speech Team competed at the St. Clair “Cyclone Spectacular” Speech Tournament hosted by St. Clair High School.

In varsity finals, Senior Abi Peyman took 2nd place in Great Speeches; Junior Zoey Tasseff took 2nd place in Creative Expression; Freshman Clark Hazard took 3rd place in Extemporaneous Speaking; and Freshman Norah Heille took 6th place in Prose.

In novice finals, Junior Isaac Thomas was the champion in Humorous Interpretation; 7th grader Sophia Streit took 3rd place in Storytelling; 8th grader Bella Coan and 7th grader Georgia Werre took 4th place in Duo Interpretation; 8th grader Hailey McConnell took 4th place in Poetry; 8th grader Michelle Esquivel took 4th place in Storytelling; and Freshman Clark Hazard took 5th place in Humorous Interpretation.

Fairmont Speech competes next week at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School. The Fairmont Speech Team is coached by Kathleen Walker, Erik Walker and Miles Duffey.