Perkins County well represented at state speech

Fourteen Perkins County speakers traveled to the state speech contest at UNK on March 23 with hopes of advancing into the third and final round of competition. 

Although that scenario was not to be, what the group managed to do was pretty extraordinary in itself. 

Of the 20 performances tallied by the team, 19 were in the superior category, meaning 19 different judges recognized exceptional merit of PC competitors. They were awarded between 45-50 points on each performance based on articulation, physical responsiveness, movement, vocal variety, ensemble effects, eye contact, continuity and pacing. 

Additionally, eight of the 14 students finished in the top 10 state rankings.

 Coaches Diana Tate and Penny Hite were more than pleased with the team’s performances.

“Our kids performed exceptionally well and were a credit to themselves, Perkins County High School and our communities.”

 Final state rankings for the team: 

Duet—Chris Terry and Colton Heinemann, 10th; Jonathan Hanson and Nathan Kemling, 17th.

Oral Interpretation of Drama—Sam McArtor, Matthew Wendell, Keshia Leeper, Jacob Woodmancy and Ian Sihm, 10th; Bryce Grothman, Kenyon Gaar, Chris Terry and Colton Heinemann, 15th.

Informative—Sam McArtor, 14th.

Persuasive—Haven Wid, ninth; Katie Patrick, 14th.

Humorous Prose—Jacob Woodmancy, 13th.

Poetry—Hailee Iske-Fraizer, 12th. 

Extemporaneous—Matthew Wendell, 12th.