14 win speech awards Fourteen Cardinal speakers won awards at the United North Central Speech Contest held in Menahga Feb. 6. They are, front row, left to right: Emma Motl, Tera Weyer, Hallie Olsen and AJ Smith. Second row: Beth Hoyt, Shelby Wilds, Gemma Shaffer, Kaytlin Roth, Becki DeGeest, Becky Eckenrode. Back row: Sierra DeGeest, Samantha Page, Paige Becker and Jonathan Nypan. (Photo by Don Sanda) The United North Central speech meet held good things for the Staples Motley speech team. Seniors Gemma Shaffer and Shelby Wilds came out with first place finishes in the categories of Storytelling and Great Speeches. Becky Eckenrode placed second in Discussion, Becki DeGeest placed third in Informative, Emma Motl placed fourth in Original Oratory and Jonathan Nypan placed fifth in Extemporaneous Reading.

Receiving blue ribbons were Hallie Olsen and Tera Weyer in Duo Interpretation, Paige Becker in Humorous, Kaytlin Roth and A.J. Smith in Prose and Samantha Page in Poetry.

Sierra DeGeest received a red ribbon in Drama.

“The first meet of the year was great for all the competitors. We have many speakers who have years of experience and also new members who are learning what speech is all about,” said Kaytlin Roth, one of this year’s captains. “It was a nice way to start the season.”

This week is sure to consist of practicing as the team prepares for their home meet on Feb. 13 at Staples Motley High School.

The public is welcome to come.