CJI speech team wins at Havre tournament

Press release

The Chester-Joplin-Inverness speech team kicked off its 2017-2018 season at the Havre Invitational Saturday. 

Senior Zak Heimbigner competed in his first speech meet and participated in impromptu speaking. Students competing in impromptu speaking have three minutes to prepare a three-to five-minute speech about a cartoon or quotation.

Heimbigner received the highest ranking from all three judges in the finals round to claim the title in his event. 

Junior Elyssa Tempel, who placed last year at the B-C State Tournament in original oratory, switched events and continued to experience success. Tempel placed first in memorized public address, which involves analyzing and memorizing a speech. 

Sophomore Shivell Norick, a second-year competitor for the CJI speech team in dramatic oral interpretation of literature, also scored a first-place medal for CJI. Norick participated in one of the most competitive events at the Havre invitational, performing well both in preliminary rounds and finals to claim the title. 

Freshman Emma Wickum competed in her first speech meet in the extemporaneous speaking event. Competitors in extemporaneous speaking have 30 minutes to prepare a five- to seven-minute speech about a national or international current events topic. Wickum finished third in her event, bringing home a bronze medal.

Despite fielding only four competitors, CJI finished first in the Class C Speech Sweepstakes with 42 points.  The CJI speech team bested five other Class C schools to claim this title. The CJI speech team next competes at the Conrad Invitational Nov. 11 and the Browning Invitational Nov. 18.

CJI will be co-hosting a meet with North Star Schools Dec. 16 and is looking for community members who would like to volunteer to judge.  Interested individuals can email CJI Speech Coach Rhonda Petersen at [email protected].