The WHA Speech Team Returns with Two State Medals

   Last Thursday, five state qualifiers and two alternates traveled down to Applevalley, Minnesota to attend the MSHSL State Speech Tournament. The state speech tournament, which took place over two days, was held Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23 at Eastview High School. The class AA state qualifiers competed on Friday, and the class A qualifiers competed on Saturday. The WHA Speech Team traveled down a day early to observe the double “A” competition, and on Saturday the five Walker speakers who advanced from sections competed for a state medal. Of the five WHA speakers who entered the competition, two advanced into the final round of their category and earned a state medal. 

   The following speakers attended the state tournament, but did not advance into the final round: Reagan Tabaka competed in the category of Informative, Katelyn DeLost competed in the category of Creative and Lily Pedersen competed in the category of Humorous. 

   Julia Schock competed in the category of Dramatic Interpretation and advanced into the final round. She placed 8th overall, earning her first state speech medal. This is Julia’s second year competing in speech and her first state appearance. She began as a freshman in the category of poetry and switched to Drama this year as a junior. Even though this year was Julia’s first year in the category, this is not her first experience with dramatic interpretation. In the WHA Drama Department’s fall production of “These Shining Lives” Julia played the lead role of Katherine Donahue. As a junior, Julia still has another season of competitive speech on the WHA team. 

   Lily Burns competed in the category of Humorous Interpretation. She advanced into the final round and placed 5th, earning her first state medal. Lily has competed in the category of humor since her 7th grade year, however, this year she also competed in the category of Prose. She experienced a lot of success, including earning a second place medal at the Perham speech tournament. Lily Burns has also participated in WHA Drama Department productions, including “Charlie Brown Christmas” and “These Shining Lives.” As a sophomore, Lily has several more years of successful speech ahead of her. 

   In the Class A team sweepstakes, Melrose placed first overall. Mounds Park Academy and Hawley placed 2nd and 3rd respectively. 

   While the team experienced a lot of success this year, we will also be experiencing a loss. Head coach Stewart Wilson is retiring this year from his position at the middle school, as well as his position as head of the team. Stewart joined the Walker Speech Team as a speaker in 1978 and competed until 1983. He earned a 3rd place state medal in Prose with a cutting from “To Kill a Mockingbird.” 

   Stewart began coaching at Laporte in 1985 and joined the Walker team as a coach in 1995. When asked about his time on the team, Stewart said, “Speech has been an integral part of my life. From my time as an 8th grade speaker, to a young coach at Laporte during college and presently a staff member at WHA. This activity means the world to me.  To see young people use their voice in so many ways is heartening and to see other coaches nurturing those young souls is encouraging and so much appreciated. As a coach you develop a collegial relationship with the students.  I treasure the organic process of watching students learn and thrive through their competitive speech and in their lives after high school.” 

   Even though this will be Stewart’s last year in the building, he will still participate in coaching and plans to return to help run the Chuck Beckman Memorial Tournament. In many ways, Stewart has been the lifeblood of the WHA Speech team. He has carried the team through many trying years, including shrinking class sizes and a year of virtual competition during a pandemic. Despite this, he has led the team to state appearances every year. He has coached 52 state medalist-10 of which were state champions. His presence will be missed by speakers and coaches alike. Stewart, thank you for your years of dedication to this team. You have been the foundation of success for so many speakers, and that will not be forgotten. We wish you luck on your new adventure!