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  After a relatively warm winter break, the WHA Speech team returned to school and began prepping for the upcoming season. A few members of the team started the season early with a tournament not usually attended by the Walker team. On Saturday, January 13th five speakers attended the St. Cloud Tech Varsity Speech tournament. Of the five competing speakers, three went home with awards. This past Saturday, the team loaded up in negative 20 degree temperatures to compete in the Cass Lake-Bena early bird tournament. Of the five speakers at this tournament, two left with awards. 

From left: Isaias Jimenez McMurrin, Trevor Keuchle, Jace Ungerecht, Elaina Dascalos, Meredith McCarthy, Allison Kimball, Abagayle Audette, Lily Burns, Madison Kendrick. Photo submitted.

   The following speakers earned awards at the St. Cloud Tech tournament. Abagayle Audette placed 6th in Extemp. Reading, Lola Kruekeberg placed 6th in Poetry, and Layla Kruekeberg placed 4th in Poetry. 

   The following speakers earned ribbons at the Cass Lake-Bena meet. Abagayle Audette placed within the top 10 speakers and earned a black ribbon in Extemp. Reading. Madison Kendrick placed first in Prose. 

   The Walker Talkers have started the season strong with two competitions under their belt. As the season progresses, the amount of competitors will continue to increase. Right now, several speech team members are rehearsing for the One Act Play; the first round of competition will take place this Saturday in Aitkin. While the One Act Play team is competing in subsections, the speech team will head to Pequot Lakes for their early-bird tournament.  

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