By Jackson Meeker

On Feb. 23, Mount Vernon speech participants participated in the district individual speech competition at Cedar Valley Christian School.  The speech team, coached by Tawnua Tenley, brought 36 competitors and they competed in 57 events, as some competitors competed in multiple categories. The Mount Vernon individuals received an abundance of Division 1 ratings at districts.  After this competition, there are 28 individuals heading to the state competition in 38 events.

“It feels good to make it to state.” said senior Ryan Clark. “I really enjoyed districts and I can’t wait to go to state speech with my friends and fellow participants.”Clark is a first-year speech competitor who decided to go out because his friends convinced him, and he was just wanting to try something new.   Clark qualified for the state competition in the solo musical theater category.

Jeremy Ferguson is another of the many Mount Vernon students who made it to the state competition.  Ferguson made the decision to join speech looking for ways to improve his communications skills in a fun and positive way.  At the district meet, Ferguson was able to qualify for the state competition in two events. “Making it to state is exciting because I have a chance to improve my pieces further and make them the best they can be,” he said.  Ferguson qualified in After Diner and spontaneous speaking categories.

State Individual Speech Contest will be held March 9 at North Scott High School.