Speech Soars at Guardian Angels
Launch the media gallery 1 playerby Klarissa Norris
The Pierce High speech team brought home a first-place finish after competing at the Guardian Angels Central Catholic Speech Invitational on Saturday, February 22.
Pierce placed first in the team sweepstakes category over several other teams. Coach Melissa Legate commented on the meet by saying, “I’m so proud of the team performance, and there were several individuals who had an incredible day. The hard work and dedication they’re showing is paying off!”
Individually, the Pierce team excelled in multiple events. On the varsity team, Halle Ross and Caydan Retzlaff placed first in duet acting, Maiya Baumann and Mark Venteicher placed fourth. Ross placed first in serious prose. Baumann placed first in humorous prose, and Klarissa Norris placed sixth. Venteicher placed first in extemporaneous speaking, Shawn Zelmer placed fifth. Norris placed third in informative speaking, and Shelby White placed fourth. White placed second in persuasive speaking, while Larissa Meier placed fifth, and Hailey Abler placed sixth. Abygail Streff placed second in poetry, Madison Altwine placed sixth. Baumann, Retzlaff, Ross, Norris, and Alyssa Cederburg placed first in oral interpretation of drama.
On the junior varsity team, Brielle Unseld placed first in informative speaking. Ciara Garcia placed fifth in entertainment speaking. Michaela McWilliams placed second in persuasive speaking, and Keli Shermer placed sixth. Shermer also placed fifth in poetry.
Venteicher, a junior, commented on the performance of the team, “As a team Pierce has a very dominant presence. We compete well as individuals and as a team which is a special quality that other teams don’t have. I’m excited to see how we continue to compete heading into conference and district competition.”
The Pierce High speech team will compete again at the upcoming Battle Creek Speech Invitational on Saturday, February 29.