Students Participate in State Speech
.jpg)
Ada Gee, Caitlee Koenigs, Nina McMillen, and Aleya Bailey.
These six brave ladies were members of the Ram speech team, presenting their individual speeches at the district individual speech contest in Carroll. Aleya Bailey (Prose Interpretation), Ada Gee (After Dinner Speaking and Improvisation), Alex Wonder (Radio Broadcasting and Spontaneous Speaking), Chloe Wanberg (Poetry Interpretation), Caitlee Koenigs (Storytelling and Acting), and Nina McMillen (After Dinner Speaking and Improvisation) presented their entries in hopes of receiving 1 ratings to advance to state.
"Although we had returning members from the Speech team last year, we also had a couple of new upperclassmen join the team this year," said Coach Bethany Mallory. "Speech Team can be intimidating, but they pushed past the fear and did terrific work!"
On March 14th, the four ladies and their coaches, Kristi Paulsen and Bethany Mallory traveled to Denison for the state speech contest. The ladies did very well with Bailey receiving three 2s, Koenigs earning three 1s in Acting and two 1s and a 2 in Storytelling, Gee three 1s in both her entries, and McMillen three 1s in her competition. Those who earned three 1s did have a chance to earn All-State. Unfortunately, none of the Rams earned that honor this time.
"Although we had returning members from the Speech team last year, we also had a couple of new upperclassmen join the team this year," added Bethany Mallory. "Speech Team can be intimidating, but they pushed past the fear and did terrific work!"
One of those new members was Aleya Bailey, daughter of Tracy and Dave Bailey of Danbury. The senior, in her first year in Speech, earned a trip in Prose Interpretation.
"I love talking and figured I had a connection with speech," she said. She gave a touching rendition of the preface of Marley and Me.
"Aleya showed bravery in attempting something brand new her senior year," stated Coach Kristi Paulsen. "She really took the judge's comments at districts to heart and worked hard presenting her prose piece, from the preface of Marley and Me, about the effect a dog can have on a person's life."
Aleya was very surprised that she advanced to the state competition.
"I looked at my results thinking this can't be that good," commented Aleya. "and then I read it and gasped so loud, and everybody thought that somebody was in danger, and I said I got all 1s, and they laughed."
Nina McMillen, daughter of Teresa and Rob McMillen of Ida Grove, was in her second year of individual speech but her first year in After Dinner Speaking, her entry which earned her a trip to State.
"For After Dinner Speaking, I chose to do a twist on The Tell Tale Heart," said Nina. "I did a eulogy of the guy who went crazy in the story. I originally did this as a assignment for my English class, but Mrs. Paulsen who is not only my English teacher but also my Speech coach told me it would be perfect for an after dinner speech."
"Nina's after dinner speech began as a school project after the sophomores read The Tell-Tale Heart in class," agreed Coach Paulsen. "The creativity she included in her eulogy made it so engaging to listen to and really drew listeners in. Getting straight ones at the state level was quite an accomplishment."
"I honestly didn't think I would make it to State because a girl a few competitions before mine was bashing on Edgar Allan Poe (the author of Tell Tale Heart). Caitlee (Koenigs) and I locked eyes when the girl said that and I instantly started shaking my head."
Nina has a unique way to get ready on competition day.
"Right before I do my competition, I take a deep breath, and say. ‘Be one with Wayne Brady' who is one of my favorite comedians and actors. I think it helps me pretty well. I also recite my favorite quotes from the movie ‘The Proposal.' It's good to say something familiar and it calms my nerves. I've practiced in front of the whole speech team and even made a deal with Caitlee once that if I practice in front of our class, she had to, too."
Caitlee Koenigs, daughter of Abby and Josh Koenigs of Mapleton, advanced in both Storytelling and in Acting. Her Acting entry was very unique; she herself wrote the script.
"Caitlee has done a marvelous job practicing at home because of her tremendously busy schedule," said Coach Paulsen. "She tried something new again this year by writing and performing an acting scene about how high school is a reality TV show, so getting straight ones at the state level was well-deserved."
"I chose Acting and Storytelling because they were new things I wanted to try, and I wanted to push myself to grow by adding new skills," said Caitlee. "I thought it would be a good way to step outside my comfort zone because both pieces had to be completely memorized!"
Koenigs, a sophomore in her second year in individual speech, explained why she wrote her acting script.
"I was trying to find a piece that would be effective but also fun that I connected with and I could memorize," she explained. "I wasn't coming across anything that really caught my attention so my family and I reread the rules, and it said that you can have your own piece entered, and I got to work hoping I could make something that would be entertaining! I decided to write about how high school is like a reality TV show with all the drama, competition, emotional breakdowns, and shocking twists to every day life."
Ada Gee, daughter of Kellie and Jeff Gee of Mapleton also advanced in two events, After Dinner Speaking and Improvisation. In her second year of individual speech, one of the categories was one in which Ada was comfortable, and one was new to her.
"I have done Improv multiple times, so it was a given I would try and give it a go again for one last time," said the senior. "I decided to try something new and do After Dinner Speech this year as well. I chose this type of speech because it was a humorous type of speech that could be pre-planned. When doing Improv, everything comes to you on the fly, and I wanted to do something different that is prepared like After Dinner Speaking."
"Ada seems to be a natural at improvisation, achieving straight ones at State in both of her categories," mentioned Coach Paulsen. "She is a talented writer, and the humor displayed in the toast she wrote for an 80 year old woman's birthday left everyone with a smile on their face."
The natural speaker wasn't so sure that she would win in both entries.
"I did not expect to go to State on both categories," Ada said. "I stayed optimistic in my abilities while still not getting my hopes up. Improv is a hard category to prepare for and was the subject I was more worried about, and I ended up executing it well."
While the coaches give the ladies credit for their success, the support of the coaches and fellow teammates is recognized by these students. Likewise, the coaches appreciate the support of each team member and families and of all six ladies willing to work outside their comfort zone.
I was impressed with so many of the students who challenged themselves and tried something new," commented Coach Bethany Mallory. That always deserves our respect and appreciation. We also appreciate our Speech parents who listen and work with the students after hours."
That extra work indeed paid off. Congratulations, ladies!
