The Great Bend Speed team qualified a full entry (which is 16 events) to the 5A Speech Championship held at Topeka Seaman High School, on Saturday, May 7th.
A total of nine students competed in the tournament. One student advanced to semi-finals. Many students were close to breaking into semi-finals, with four of those events missing by only one rank.
Senior Sawyer Borror advanced into semi-finals in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking. Here he ended his high school speech career placing in the top twelve out of twenty-four contestants. “I was very proud of the entire team’s effort and wish the team and Mrs. Watson success next season.” Borror concluded. The four events missing by only one rank included: Junior Anissa Widiger in Original Oration, Junior Alexa Bright in Oral interpretation of Prose, Sophomore Chase Pumford in Humorous Interpretation, and Freshman Marissa Hoisington and Micheal Gieck in Duo Interpretation.
Others barely missing were: Hoisington in Informative speaking; missing by three ranks and Freshman Courtney Seever in Domestic Extemporaneous speaking missing by four ranks. Sophomore Syliva Ofoma and Freshman Mary Beuoy also qualified and competed in the State Championship as first year competitors.
“This was my third year competing at State, and it was a little heart breaking of being so close to breaking.” Widiger stated “I ended my year with my last round judge giving me first; it was nice ending on a good note.”
“Going to state was a great experience, but it was still disappointing to come so close and not break into semi. Now, it is time to start focusing on next year. Congratulations to Sawyer on breaking his senior year. It’s going to be different without him and he will be missed.” Chase Pumford.
“Like I always say, I am very proud of my team. I was very pleased that we qualified a full entry to state this year. I know they gave it their best. I’m looking forward to next year, with everyone having some more experience.” Watson
GBHS qualifies full entry to State Speech Championship