Walker hosts the 50th Chuck Beckman Memorial Tournament

   On Saturday, March 5th,  the WHA Speech Team hosted the 50th Chuck Beckman Memorial Tournament. Close to 30 teams were in attendance with over 300 speakers competing. While the number of speakers was lower compared to previous years, hosting an in-person tournament was an important step in keeping the activity strong at WHA. Thirteen Walker Talkers competed in the tournament and 10 earned awards. 

   The following speakers placed in honor finals: Ada Muller placed first in Discussion, Julia Schock placed second in Drama, Madison Kendrick placed first in Drama, Natalie Resch-Seely placed third in Extemp. Speaking, Leo Burns placed sixth in Humor, Sora Bauerly placed third in Original Oratory, Sophia Landreville placed sixth in Poetry and Elijah Cox placed sixth in Prose. 

   The following speakers placed in the final round: Katelyn Delost placed fifth in Extemp. Speaking and third in Creative. Lily Pedersen placed sixth in Humor.

   Last Saturday, the team also competed in the Perham Jacket Classic. This was a regular invitational tournament, but it was the first time the team had attended. Eleven Walker speakers competed and 10 came home with awards. 

   The following speakers placed in the honor final round: Abagayle Audette placed sixth in Storytelling. Leo Burns placed fourth in Humor. Sora Bauerly placed fourth in Oratory. Tristan Damar placed second in Poetry. And Ada Muller placed second in Discussion. 

   The following speakers placed in the final round: Reagan Tabaka placed sixth in Informative. Katelyn DeLost placed fourth in Extemp. Speaking and first Creative. Elijah Cox placed third in Prose. Natalie Resch-Seely placed second in Extemp. Speaking. And Lily Burns placed second in Humor and second in Prose. Overall the team tied for second. 

   This weekend the team will travel to Moorhead to compete in the Northern Lights National Speech and Debate Association qualifying tournament. This tournament will determine who will compete at the national competition this June in Louisville, Kentucky. Then, the following weekend, the team will travel to Grand Rapids for the final invitational tournament of the season. The team will have one week off before returning to school and competing in the Subsection 29A tournament on Tuesday April 5th. This is the first of two tournaments which determines who goes to the state tournament.  

   Participating in this activity and hosting a tournament is a special honor for us and we could not do it without the support of alumni and community members. The following people made donations to our tournament: Mike Worcester, Robin Wheeler-Berdhal, Deb Farrell, Ochs Family, Shelly Johnson, Matt Privratsky, Jill Kerrigan/Steph Stine, Josh Plattner, Eric Scouten, Vonnie Beckman, Carrie Johnson, Laurie Frattalone/Helen Harbo, Cristin (McGill) Undem, Cyndy Eisbrenner, Bev/Joe Jorland, Trisha (Moening) Hamm, Kari Norby, Paul and Denise Koring, Pat Cochran, Theresa Bilben, Laura/Bill Hansen, and Thrivent/Colleen Wilson. Finally, a donation was made in memory of Shelly Steward. We also would like to extend our appreciation to all of the parents who helped at concessions and with the judges lounge at our home tournament. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated.