This year, the PHS Speech Contest was held on a short day, Wednesday, November 5. It was a great success, with 17 categories offering something for everyone, from humorous readings and skits to inspirational and religious readings.

Events were grouped in eight rooms, some of which accommodated up to four categories. The contest was planned and mainly hosted by Heather Nichols, the media department teacher.

“The Speech Contest is held to give students the experience of public speaking when they might not get to do that often. Public speaking is a valuable skill essential in many professions. I am glad students get the chance to practice,” said Nichols.

Students in English Honors or AP English classes were required to participate, but all high school students could sign up when the annual emails were sent out. Winners were announced on Friday, November 7. Awards included category winners, a reserve grand champion, and a grand champion. Category winners included: Freshman James Lindsey (Policy Presentation), Seniors Kolt Bonta and Charlie Higgins (Humorous Duo), Junior Justin Thornton (Humorous Reading), Freshman Neveah Gilmore (Oratorical), Junior Ella Grunden (Humorous Poetry), Senior Taylor Morgan (Dramatic
Reading), Junior Cheyenne Hopper (Inspirational Reading), Junior Garrett Cook (Religious Reading), Senior Trinity Turner (Narrative Poetry), Junior Kina Arsenault (Contemporary Poetry), Sophomore Hope Roach (Classic Poetry), Sophomores Viola Bender, Oliver Albertson, and Andrea Pennington (Skit), Sophomore Emily Lindsey (Humorous Monologue), and Junior Piper Frank (Original Speech, Dramatic Monologue).

The Reserve Grand Champion was Senior Madi Collier, and Junior Piper Frank earned Grand Champion.

“Being named Grand Champion for the second year in a row was a challenge, It was so much more than just having confidence. It’s a battle of knowing your audience but also making sure to not limit yourself on just your audience,” said Frank.

Frank hopes Speech Contest gives more students the opportunity to shine.

“I wanted people to know that there is way more than what stays at the surface at Paoli. We aren’t just a basketball and football school. We are a freak-loving, nerd-supporting, weirdo- screaming high school. Knowing the opportunity of showing speaking skills then using them for a powerful outing of my opinion meant so much to me. I would say that even if you aren’t going to compete to win, compete for the person in the audience that needed to hear what you had to say. Even in a throw-away poem just to get a grade, someone out there smiled or laughed during a day full of hardship, or if it is about something emotional, someone is going through the same thing as you. People love to bottle up emotion and make it so normalized, but really we all yearn to be supported with people cheering our name in the crowd. Just know that it’s not about the title, it’s about the message,” said Frank.

Reserve Grand Champion Madi Collier provided us with some insight into her experience with the contest.

“I decided last year what I wanted to do. I was very sad to see I didn’t win in any of my categories, until I saw the email where I won reserve grand champion. I was happy to have won the reserve spot my senior year,” said Collier.

As a decades-long tradition, Nichols plans to continue the contest for years to come.

“The Speech Contest has been an annual event at PHS since the 1970s, and I am happy to have continued this year as the new speech teacher. I am extremely impressed with all the students competing this year and look forward to continuing the event,” said Nichols.