Speaking skills get test at district tournament

Carman Scholl and Carrie Lasky have been working on smooth delivery since August.

The pair of Cape Girardeau Central High School juniors performed "Beauty" in the duet acting category at the Missouri State High School Activities Association district speech competition on Saturday.

"So far we have some good competition, but it all comes out in the final round," Scholl said.

The tournament, held at Southeast Friday and Saturday, brought 23 schools, big and small, with a few new ones participating, said Karen Kight, speech instructor at Southeast Missouri State University and coordinator of the tournament. The new schools participating were Crystal City and Perryville.

"With competition between large and small schools we see that all schools can excel," she said.

Friday's events included three debates with Public Forum, a new event something like the cable TV show "Crossfire." Saturday's events included duet acting, humorous interpretation, oratory, prose reading, storytelling, radio speaking, extemporaneous speaking, poetry reading and drama.

In "Beauty," Bethany, played by Scholl, comes upon a genie who grants her three wishes. Her last wish is for beauty, the attribute she's envied in her friend, Carly, a model, played by Lasky. But Carly tries to talk her out of it. Beauty, she tries to convey, is only skin deep.

Lasky, who said that playing a model was out of character for her, said she was successful because of the coaching by English teacher Al Nicolai and American history and psychology teacher Joe Bradshaw, both speech coaches at Central High School.

Considering a career in acting, Scholl has been competing for three years and was state qualifier for humorous competition last year.

A regular judge at the competition, Bob Zeller, professor of English at Southeast Missouri State University, was impressed by the duets he judged.

"The group showed a lot of preparation," he said.

But preparation alone does not guarantee a good performance.

"Judges look for how well characters are portrayed, voice diction and understanding of the piece," said Joey O'Neal, speech coach and high school English teacher at Scott City.

Communication of the idea is important.

"Extemporaneous speaking and debate, just being able to practice and rehearse, receive coaching and criticism can sharpen a student's communication skills. We know that good oral communication is the No. 1 character trait employers are looking for," Kight said. "It's a valuable skill."

Results of the tournament will appear in Tuesday's Class of 2morrow section.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133