A group of 23 CHS students traveled to Cole Camp High School Saturday, Jan. 29, to compete in a Hawaiian themed Invitational-Speech Tournament. CHS received fourth place overall of the 20 schools participating.
"This was the largest and most competitive tournament we have faced so far," said Speech Team Coach Tiffany Brown. "Some students who placed second in their rooms in Rounds 1 and 2 still didn't make it to finals."
Freshman Maria Banda continued to the final round where she placed first out of 27 in Dramatic Interpretation. This was her first time competing.
"I still just can't believe it," said Banda after receiving her medal. "I like being able to express myself through the feelings of different characters."
Junior Kassi Meisenheimer finaled in all three of her events, placing sixth out of 27 in Dramatic Interpretation, seventh out of 30 in Humorous Interpretation, and second out of 46 in Poetry. This was Meisenheimer's second competition of the season.
Senior Mitchell Cox and Junior Sarah Couchman were the only duet team to make it to finals, where they placed fifth out of 43 in Improvisational Duet Acting.
CHS students competed as follows: Kassi Meisenheimer, Audrey Imhoff, and Rebecca Suen in Poetry; Ashlee Davis, Audrey Imhoff, and Rebecca Suen in Prose; Kassi Meisenheimer, TyleRe Goans, and Ashlee Davis in Humorous Interpretation; Kassi Meisenheimer, TyleRe Goans, and Maria Banda in Dramatic Interpretation; Margret Mace, TyleRe Goans, and Erin Cary in Storytelling; Alex Davis, Jordan Brizendine, and Cassie Clayton in Radio; Alex Davis, Echo High, and Leo Lutz in Extemporaneous Speaking; Rebecca Porter, Jordan Brizendine, and Corina Castillo in Original Oratory; Nathan Burkett, Eligio Banda, and Kristen Dummermuth in Original Works; Rebecca Porter and Sarah Hurt, Walter Juarez and Mitchell Cox, and Ashlee Davis and Sarah Couchman in Duet Acting; and Drake Farris and Nathan Burkett, Sarah Couchman and Mitchell Cox, and Eligio Banda and Kristen Dummermuth in Improvisational Duet Acting.
"I look forward to going to the next competition in Improvisational and Duet Acting for the win!" said Couchman.
The next speech competition takes place on Saturday, Feb. 19, in Moberly. The bus leaves at 6:45 a.m.