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   Last Saturday, the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Speech Team competed at the Staples Host Lions Invitational. The tournament hosted over 20 schools and over 300 speaking entries. There were three preliminary rounds of competition and a final round for each category. The Walker team had a few absences due to illness, but still brought eight speakers to the competition. Three speakers broke into the final round of their category and the team left with six awards total. 

   The following speakers earned ribbons for their performances: Elijah Cox earned a red ribbon in prose. And Zoe Cox earned a red ribbon in poetry. 

   The following speakers advanced into the final round and competed against the top six speakers in their category: Abagayle Audette placed 2nd in extemp reading, Elijah Cox and Madison Kendrick placed 4th in duo, and Madison Kendrick placed 1st in prose. 

   For the team awards, Pequot Lakes, Parkers Prairie, and Bemidji placed 1st through 3rd respectively. 

   The Staples Host Lions Invitational tournament is not normally attended by the Walker speech team. However, in an attempt to expose speakers to new tournaments and new speaking competitions, the coaches have made small alterations to the schedule each year. This Saturday, the team will attend another new tournament in Browerville, where the Browerville/Eagle Valley Speech team will host their “Talk of the Tigers” tournament. Additionally, the WHA Junior High team competed in their second JV tournament on Monday night in Laporte. This was the second of five junior high tournaments for the team. 

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