The State Speech Championship Tournament was held on May 3, at Emporia High School. Great Bend had five students compete in five events with one advancing to semi-finals. Those individuals were Carter Sheffield in Extemporaneous Speaking and Dramatic Interpretation, Jesus Sandoval in Humorous Interpretation and Prose, Aaron Miller in Humorous Interpretation, Mali Clark in Prose and Kenna Dirks in Poetry and in Dramatic Interpretation Dirks advanced to the semi-final round.
“This ends the 2014 speech season for our team. The team is small and most were just 1st and 2nd year students but we have had a very good year and everyone had success winning medals and we also won several Team Trophies in both Debate and Speech seasons. I hope there is more interest for this activity. I think it is a rewarding activity that helps you with skills you need to succeed in any career. It does take several weekends of your time, five to eight weekends a semester to be successful, letter in the activity and placing at tournaments. It helps to develop skills thinking on your feet, researching, being a team player, you travel to lots of other schools and can socialize with students from other schools and make friends.” said GBHS Coach Barbara Watson.