THE ART OF COMMUNICATING

Nick Clubb, who plays Brian, is in love with Jerry Finnegan's sister, Beth, played by Shannon Felker.

Mark Sickles, a student at Jackson High School, presented the story of "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" by William Steig.

Members of speech and debate clubs say their extracurricular activities are much more demanding than any athletic team.

Sure, they don't necessarily work up a sweat with their efforts, but many say the stamina required for competition often leaves them as physically tired as any athlete.

The teams practice together for as many as 10 hours each week, but the individual commitment requires even more effort. Preparing to compete requires each team member to work alone memorizing material and honing his presentation technique.

There are 10 events in speech and debate competitions, and members can enter in more than one event. Individual events include humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation, original oratory, poetry reading, prose reading, ex temporaneous speaking, radio speaking and storytelling. Team events include duet acting and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

"It's by far and away more time-consuming and I think it's a lot harder," said Nick Clubb, a Central High School senior and former football player. "In this, it's a whole different side of your body. You have to work on emotions and stuff, and if you did it right, by the end of the day you're completely drained."

Clubb and fellow senior Shannon Felker perform duet acting scenes at competitions. To compete the two must prepare a skit from a published play, condense it to 10 minutes and perform it before a judge. Felker said it takes many hours of memorization and practice to get the scene perfect. Like a star athlete, constant practice with the team and alone is necessary, she said.

"You can't slack off and expect to be able to go back and do it," she said.

Mark Sickles, a senior at Jackson High School, said he is planning a career in theater after graduating from high school. Sickles, a storytelling competitor, chose his event because he likes getting people to listen to him.

All of the students agreed the clubs allow them to learn a lot while preparing them for college and life. Justin Cox and Christina Shaw, co-chairs of the Scott City High School speech and debate team, said members develop strong communication skills and have a very good stage presence. They also have good memorization skills and are able to accept criticism, they said.

"I know it's preparing me for what I want to do," said Shaw, a senior. "I plan to travel with the New Life Drama Co. for two years and work to obtain my ministerial license. The skills I'm gaining doing this are going to definitely come in handy."

Students said they didn't mind getting passed over for recognition. People don't participate in these clubs for the glory, they said.

"This is the most enjoyable, exciting activity I've ever participated in," said Cox, a sophomore. "I do it because it's fun."