Cliff Buchan
News EditorFor the 22nd consecutive year, Forest Lake has captured top honors in the Region 7AA Section Speech tournament.
Students from Forest Lake High School captured top honors at the sectional meet April 2 at St. Francis High School and will send 16 competitors to the Class AA State Speech Tournament this Saturday at Centennial High School.
The contingent of individual competitors is led by Laura Joachim, a state champion a year ago who will compete in dramatic duo on Saturday with partner Ana Bahr.
They won the region championship at St. Francis.
Other state qualifiers and their region places are:
ïJoel Partyka and Matt Hendricks, second, dramatic duo.
ïStephen Anthony, first; Paul Joachim, second, humorous.
ïCharlie DeVore, first; Lewis Marshall (alternate), fourth, extemporaneous speaking.
ïJanna Morris, second; Stephanie DeMars, third, poetry.
ïJessie Bystrom, second; Jason Geving (alternate), fourth, drama.
ïKatherine Kasl, second; Melinda Reed (alternate), fifth, extemporaneous reading.
ïEmily Habish, third; Keri Donohoo (alternate), fourth, great speeches.
ïAshley Grundtner, second; Renee Dina (alternate), fifth, informative.
ïRachel Piersdorf, second; Joelle Anderson, third, storytelling.
ïJon Meindl, second, creative expression.
ïJulie Dolan (alternate), fourth, original oratory.
Head coach Tim Newcomb gave credit to the students and the coaches for their year-long work to secure the 22nd straight sectional championship.
ìFirst credit must be given to the talented and dedicated students who practice and compete throughout a long season, starting in November and ending in April,î he said.
ìTheir ability to continue to bring nuance to their pieces has helped make them some of the strongest competitors in our region.î
Newcomb said the work of assistant coaches Henry Hebert, Becky Haven, Pat Puskala, Robyn Madson and Vanessa Novak was also instrumental in helping the team develop.
Newcomb said the strong learning environment at the high school where students must take a communication course also helps to prepare students for the tough competition in their region and at the state level.
ìWe have strong hopes of continuing with their success this year,î Newcomb said, looking ahead to Saturdayís state competition at Centennial High School.
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