Maryknoll School hosted the Maryknoll Middle School Speech Festival on Feb. 2, in which 20 Academy students competed. Other schools that participated were Holy Nativity, Iolani, Kawananakoa, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Punahou and St. Theresa.
Speech events include storytelling, program reading, humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, original oratory and impromptu speaking.
The Sacred Hearts Academy speech team was awarded a trophy for having the highest percentage of superiors, the highest score a contestant can be awarded. The other school that won big was Punahou, for the highest number of superiors.
“Speech is challenging, but highly entertaining; those who participate tend to become very resilient, and they learn to push themselves and persevere. It also encourages adaptability. Even students who have the ability to prepare their presentations in advance still need to think on their feet, ad-libbing at times and being innovative when the moment calls for it,” said team coach Jill Sprott.
Students who earned three or more superiors, out of a possible four, were given certificates with embossed gold seals.
The speech team has participated in multiple speech festivals for decades.
The next speech tournament for middle school will be on Apr. 13 at Punahou School, and the last high school tournament will be on Mar. 2.
Julia Oehlers • Mar 25, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Great job guys, I know you worked really hard! Speech is really fun, especially when you work in a duo. Good luck at Punahou! 🙂
Maybelle Lee • Mar 25, 2013 at 8:17 am
Good Job! You guys did great! Represent the Lancers Pride!
Le Grand Pound :D • Mar 5, 2013 at 12:20 pm
II think that it is awesome that our speech team wins a trophy every time. That just shows you how hard they work to accomplish those goals. Even though we go in with only like 25 people and other schools come out with like 55, we still raise the roof. They work hard every day and devote undivided time to the speech team. I think that they deserve a working hard trophy for all of the hard work that they and their speech teachers, Miss Phillips and Mrs. Sprott, they work so hard to get their girls ready they deserve a trophy for all the hard work they have put into making the speech team A+ quality. I just want to say keep working hard and good luck at Punahou! We all know that you girls can do it! I want to send a special shout-out to Katie Christian and Elia Phillip, keep working hard!
Madeleine Sing • Mar 5, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Congratulations to the Sacred Hearts Academy Speech Team for participating in the Maryknoll Festival! I am so happy that these girls won, they are all intelligent, caring and defiantly deserved these awards. I also would like to congratulate the speech coaches for all there effort and time to making these performances more amazing than they already are.
Theo Katsikas • Mar 5, 2013 at 12:13 pm
I think the speech team did a wonderful job! I didn’t think our speech team would do this well. They proved me wrong. Good job speech team, and keep up the great work!
Le Grand Pound :D • Mar 5, 2013 at 12:13 pm
I think that it is awesome that our speech team won. They work hard (I should know) and they deserve to get first in everything that they do. They are good sports and try their very best every speech meet. They always keep a positive attitude and just keep moving on, one step in front of everyone! Good Luck at Punahou! :):):):):):):):):D I send a shout out to Katie Christian, a great friend and Elia Phillip, keepm working hard!:)
Alana Glaser • Mar 5, 2013 at 11:34 am
I was able to participate in this event as a speechie! I had a lot of fun, so I was interested in hearing what the reporter had to say about it. I had so much fun at Maryknoll, and I am very proud of our team! I look forward to our final Punahou speech meet in April!
Haley Peterson • Mar 5, 2013 at 11:31 am
I think that they really deserved that trophy for having the highest percentage of superiors. Ms. Phillips is such a great Speech Teacher. Her speech team is fabulous and outstanding. They always win. I’m happy for them.
nicole • Mar 5, 2013 at 11:30 am
I feel that our school has a really good and inspiring teacher for our speech team. I have seen Mrs. Phillips coach the speech team before and at first I thought that she was going a little to hard on the girls but later on I realized she is doing this because she has a heart and full passion to do this for the girls as well as her self. To me she is an inspiration to go for what you love and to keep fighting for what you love and do, so that you can conquer and do your best at it. And this is why I think that our speech team has won!
Kiley Pazcoguin • Mar 5, 2013 at 11:07 am
I’m really happy for this years speech team that they won the Maryknoll Speeh Festival. They had a great speech conductor to help them get through this. I hope they continue this winning streak and do great at all their competitions. Even though another school may beat them, they will definetly come back better and harder ready to win the competition. I see all my friends in the picture and it makes me happy that my friends won together.
Kalei Cruz • Mar 5, 2013 at 11:03 am
Good Job! Everybody keep up the good work.
Eila Phillip • Mar 5, 2013 at 10:58 am
I was a participant in this Speech Meet, and I have to say…Speech is super fun. I’ve been a part of it since sixth grade. I love acting, so it really has helped me to improve! I have tried duo, poetry, and storytelling, and each has it’s own perks. Speech meets like this one can make you a little nervous, but once you start practicing with the team, things always end up becoming fun and hilarious! If anyone asked me if they would do speech, I would definitely say YES!
Serena • Mar 5, 2013 at 10:56 am
I’m so happy that our speech team won the highest number of percentages! I competed there, and even though I didn’t get enough superiors to get a gold seal, I guess I don’t care about it. GO SHA!
Sara • Mar 5, 2013 at 9:05 am
I’m not a big fan of public speaking, but if you’re shy and you join speech club, it could help you. I think giving out medals are good because it encourages students to continue to do their best. I’m glad they came in first!
Angelica Castro • Mar 5, 2013 at 9:05 am
I think that it is amazing how these girls could come in second place. I’m not a person to go all out and have fun and speak infront of people. So I find it interesting that they can do this. And that they canTie in first place! Some of the school they competed against were really good schools. I’m so proud of these girls. Especially because they are 5-7 grade.