The Butte Central speech and debate team continues to improve as the Maroons work their way towards the state tournament in Corvallis in January.
The talking Maroons traveled to East Helena High School on Nov. 20 to compete against 16 teams that brought 155 competitors to vie in a variety of events. Team captain and returning letter winner Hallie Kellicut led the way, bringing home her second finals appearance this year in Memorized Public Address.
In Memorized Public Address, or MPA, competitors deliver a piece of oratory that has been performed before an audience and an analysis of that piece. competitors are evaluated on poise, quality of voice, ease of gestures, enunciation and effectiveness of analysis. Hallie’s piece, an inaugural speech presented at Barack Obama’s second inauguration, has been receiving high praise from her judges. Hallie placed fifth overall in this meet, marking the highest finish for a Maroon speaker this year.
The impromptu speaking group continues to improve. In this event competitors are given a quote or a cartoon to spark an “off the cuff” speech. Competitors are given three minutes to prepare an analysis, and then five minutes to present the speech. Ethan Andersch was the Maroons top finisher, just barely missing the finals round by one point.
Speech events are similar to golf; the competitors who achieve the lowest score advance. Ethan, with a total score of 13 points, missed the cutoff of 12 points needed to advance to finals at this meet. The competition was a tight one; only eight points separated the first-place finisher and eighth place. Eight competitors advance to finals in each event.
William McAnutly, a freshman competing in his first meet, promises to be a very talented speaker as he advances through the impromptu season. Michael Peck, another freshman, will round out the trio of impromptu speakers when he joins the team for his first meet this Saturday in Livingston.
Michael Hand, Butte Central’s Lincoln Douglas debate continues to make his way through arguments, rebuttals, and cross examinations, Mike continues to learn from veterans and state champions at each meet.
The team will drive to Livingston Saturday to compete in the Park High Invitational meet.
— Story submitted by BC coach Kevin Edgar
