Elementary, middle school students compete in annual speech contest

Prose, poetry, notable speeches and original oratory echoed through the halls of the Old Rock School in Valdese throughout the day Thursday as elementary and middle school students overcame nerves and faced most people’s biggest fear: public speaking.

Burke County Public Schools held its annual speech contests as students from across the district recited nearly 80 speeches. The students were judged on criteria such as pace, annunciation, memorization and time.

First-, second- and third-place medals were awarded in each category, and the first-place winners had the option to give their speeches to an audience of fellow students, proud parents and school district dignitaries, including members of the Burke County Board of Education.

The school board will recognize the winners at an upcoming Board of Education meeting.

The winners, their school and the title of their speeches are listed below.

ELEMENTARY DIVISION

Prose

First: Adaline Haynes, Salem, “Handsome Warren”

Second: Allison Gonzalez, Forest Hill, “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs”

Third: Keraghen Welty, WA Young, “Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business”

Notable Speeches

First: Brody Brittain, George Hildebrand, “I Am A Champion!”

Second: Samuel Brittain, Oak Hill, “The First Inaugural Speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt”

Third: Paisley Zeitler, Icard, “The United Nations Youth Assembly”

Poetry

First: Ellie Tallent, Salem, “The Anteater”

Second: Andrew Cook, Icard, “Do Not Bring Your Dragon to Recess”

Third: Caroline Craig, Ray Childers, “Room on the Broom”

Original Composition

First: Eleanor Vue, Glen Alpine, “Life as an Autism Sister”

Second: Raylan Suttles, Mull, “Right In the Middle — Right Where I Belong”

Third: Millie Gills, Drexel, “My Reason to Praise”

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION

Interpretive Duo

First: Isabel Hennessee and Whitley Strange, Liberty, “Evil Twin”

Second: Jenna Kanipe and Eleanor Taggart, Liberty, “Secret Crush”

Third: Abby Paterno and Blair Chamberlain, Liberty, “Most Popular”

Original Oratory

First: Beckett Brittain, East Burke, “Family Superlatives”

Second: Harper Best, Table Rock, “My Softball Journey”

Third: Michaela Hoyle, Heritage, “Every Number Has a Name”

Interpretive Prose

First: Charlotte Revilla, Table Rock, “Like Mom, Like Kid”

Second: Madilyn Edwards, Liberty, “Merry Birthday”

Third: Caleb Castro, Walter Johnson, “Dog Breath”

Recited Oratory

First: Brookelyn Sowers, Liberty, “The Eco”

Second: Wesley Adandey, Walter Johnson, “Nelson Mandela’s Speech”

Third: Lily Thompson, Table Rock, “Dear Softball”

Interpretive Poetry

First: Adah Clark, Liberty, “Television”

Second: Zoey Taylor, East Burke, “The One Minute Sermon”

Third: Lacey Norman, Liberty, “The Pig”