---

   Friday, February 14 five Walker Talkers traveled to Detroit Lakes for an out-of-the-ordinary Friday speech tournament. The Detroit Lakes “Lakers” speech team hosted three rounds of competition with a final round in each category. Three Walker Talkers advanced into the final round, and all five speakers took home awards. 

   Layla Krueckeberg earned an honorable mention in Poetry, Jace Ungerecht earned an honorable mention in Humor, and Elijah Cox earned an honorable mention in Oratory. 

   The following speakers advanced into the final round and placed within the top 6 of their category. Zoe Cox placed 4th in Prose. Elijah Cox and Madison Kendrick placed 4th in Duo. Madison Kendrick placed 1st overall in the category of Drama. 

   For the team awards, Parker’s Praire, Fosston-Bagely, Dilworth-Glindon-Felton, and Pequot Lakes placed 1st through 4th respectively. 

   Varsity and junior high speech tournaments are now in full swing. The junior high speech team competed last night in Cass Lake-Bena, and the varsity team will compete this Saturday in the 19th Annual Bemidji Lumberjack Invitational. 

---