Acting out: Local high school students compete in state Speech and Debate championship

Taylor Poore can tell the story of "Hannah Mae O'Hannigan's Wild West Show," including portrayals of three characters, without leaving her seat.

Poore, a junior at Jackson High School, competed in the state speech and debate championship in Columbia, Mo., last weekend. She competed in the storytelling category, where she does just that, using character voices while sitting in a chair.

"Do it like a child would want to see it," she said.

Holly Bollinger, a senior, also portrayed multiple personalities when she competed in the dramatic interpretation category. She memorized and performed "Breathe My Name." In the 10-minute piece, she re-enacted the story of a mother who goes insane and kills her children. During the performance she barely moves her feet.

"I always pick the ones that are so depressing," said Bollinger, who will study performing arts at Southeast Missouri State University next year.

The exercises, students said, help them practice and develop drama skills. They compete in about 10 events every year, Bollinger said.

"I think speech and debate helps you get a feel of what you have to do as an individual," she said.

During individual events, students perform by themselves with a classroom full of their peers sitting nearby, leaving little room for shyness.

"It's like our own little performance," said Kia Ross, a senior. Ross competed in the poetry reading category, performing a collection of poetry using little more than hand motions. She said she plans to major in theater at Missouri State University.

To qualify for state, students received top rankings at the district competition at Southeast in March. Jackson took top honors followed by Cape Girardeau Central High School.

A group of Jackson students performed a one-act play, "The Devil in Sherman Marsh," at the state tournament.

The following students competed last weekend in the state tournament:

n Central High School: Kelsey Martin and Tony Guidos for cross-examination debate, Quitman McBride III for humorous interpretation and storytelling, Veda Riley for original oratory and Danny McElreath for radio speaking.

* Jackson High School: Jessica Stearns for Lincoln-Douglas debate, Holly Bollinger for dramatic interpretation, Lydia Meece for humorous interpretation, Kia Ross for poetry reading, Seth Williams for original oratory and Taylor Poore for storytelling.

n Zalma High School: Paige Bailey for dramatic interpretation.

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