Walker Talkers compete at NSDA and Grand Rapids tournaments

   Over the last two weeks, the WHA Speech Team has competed at two separate tournaments. On March 18th and 19th, nine speakers from the WHA team traveled to Moorehead to compete in the Northern Lights NSDA qualifying tournament. Speakers who placed within the top two or three of their category at this tournament advance to the national tournament this summer in Louisville, Kentucky. Even though Walker did not advance any speakers to the national tournament, two speakers did advance in the semifinal round. Last weekend, the team also competed in the final invitational tournament of the season as the Grand Rapids Speech Fest. Ten Walker speakers attended the tournament and all ten received awards. 

   At the NSDA qualifying tournament, two Walker speakers advanced into the semifinal round of their category. Lily Pedersen and Leo Burns both advanced into the semifinal round of Humor, but did not advance into finals. Lily Pedersen was also recognized as the top NSDA point earner for the team. 

   At the Grand Rapids Speech Fest tournament last weekend, all ten speakers received an award. The following students earned ribbons for their performance in their category: Tristan Damar earned a red ribbon in Poetry, and Madison Kendrick earned a blue ribbon in Drama. The following speakers advanced into the final round and earned a medal: Reagan Tabaka placed sixth in Informative, Ada Muller placed fifth in Discussion, Natalie Resch-Seely placed fourth in Extemp. Speaking, Lily Burns placed fourth in Humor, Elijah Cox placed third in Prose, Leo Burns placed third in Humor, Lily Pedersen placed first in Humor, and Julia Schock placed first in Drama. 

   In the team sweepstakes, Walker placed fourth. Rock Ridge, Hermantown, and Bemidji placed first through third respectively. 

   With the final invitational tournament behind them, the team is now focused on competing at the subsection and section tournaments. Walker will host the Subsection 29A tournament on Tuesday, April 5th. The top four speakers in each category from this tournament will then advance to the section tournament hosted by the Fosston-Bagley speech team. At the section tournament, the top three speakers in each category will then advance to the state tournament held at Eastview High School on April 22nd and 23rd. This week the team is enjoying a well-deserved spring break before returning to school and the final competitions of the season.