Charger News
Student actors bring scripts to lifeAlison Palmer, Charger Staff The speech team has been practicing and ready to embark on their
competition season. They will participate in twelve to fifteen competitions this year
against schools from all over the state of Tennessee. Earlier this year the speech team hosted their own tournament involving
sixteen different schools. On Friday Nov. 1, they will participate in a competition in Chattanooga,
performing the one act play “Misery” by Stephen King.
The speech competition in Gatlinburg is the major tournament that
the team prepares for all year. It is held in the spring and hosts teams from six different states.
The speech team competes in eleven categories including duo, duet
acting, duo improv, dramatic interpretation, humorous interpretation,
extemp, oratory, prose, poetry, solo acting, and storytelling. Each student chooses an area he or she would like to participate
in. Kathy Ligon, the speech team director, says her favorite part of
coaching the team is “seeing different kinds of kids come together
as a team. It is exciting watching them take a script and bring
it to life.” Senior Rachael Crook, president of the speech team, competes in
original oratory and duo, and has before won third place in the
poetry category. “My favorite part about being a member of the speech team
is competing in tournaments. It’s hard but rewarding. “I hope to perform better than ever before this year, while
doing what I love,” says Rachael. Third place winner in duo and improv, junior Hillary Taylor, competes
in the one act play, mock trial, and duo. “To prepare for a
piece, you have to become the character,” says Hillary. Senior and newcomer to the speech team Eric Walker participates
in humorous interpretation and says his favorite part of being a
member of the team is the “wonderful teacher.” In his
first year he hopes to do his best and win a few awards. Preparing for a speech competition is like preparing for a play.
The students must memorize their lines, practice in front of the
class, and critique their work. All students agree that choosing a piece to perform is the hardest
part of preparation. After choosing a piece the students have to cut it to fit in the
time allotted and add voices and facial expressions and as Rachael
says, “Rehearse! Rehearse! Rehearse!” The Cookeville High School speech team is off to a great start, and they look forward to having an eventful year.
Article prepared for web by J. Wheeler.
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