State competition

Three Jackson High School seniors recently competed at the Missouri State High School Activities Association's 2011 Speech, Debate and Theatre Championship.

Sweeping the district-level Lincoln-Douglas debates this year, Jessica Stearns qualified for the state competition for the second year in a row. Stearns, who says she frequently debates her father, plans to attend St. Louis University to study in the school's pre-law scholars program.

Taylor Poore, who plans to attend Lindenwood University next year and major in speech and theater, placed eighth in the state competition in the Humorous Interpretation category. She was the first Jackson student to go to the finals in four years.

Lydia Meece competed this year in the competition's poetry category. Once a "shy kid", Meece -- who also participated in the high school's fall production of "Our Town" -- plans to attend Cornell College in Iowa and major in pre-med while minoring in theater.

The talent these students have illustrated in communication arts will serve them well in their careers and likely set them apart from many of their peers.

In March, The Wall Street Journal reported that employers and writing coaches are often frustrated with the communication skills, or lack thereof, of MBA graduates. Whether it's making a presentation or writing an email, many, while having excellent quantitative skills, lack when it comes to getting their message out.

Congratulations to these three Jackson seniors on competing in the state competition. Hopefully other students, regardless of their career path, will follow their lead and develop their communication skills.