Central’s Speech and Drama team recently competed in the Class A State Tournament in Corvallis, Montana. The State Tournament started on January 30th and ended on the 31st and included multiple rounds of competition. The pressure was very high for the competitors, but it also encouraged them to perform to their best ability.
Senior Will Nelson practices his humorous interpretation event for speech and debate. (Joshua Strydom)
Compared to other Class A Speech and Drama teams, Billings Central’s team is significantly smaller, a disadvantage when racking up total points. Although this was a challenge, the team still competed great. Three of Central’s competitors made it to the final round which accepts only the top eight in an event: junior Harper Pham took 5th overall in Impromptu, senior Will Nelson placed 3rd in Humerus Solo, and freshman Ben Lanz placed first in Mime.
Many freshmen entered the season unsure of what to expect. For some students, walking into competition rooms initially felt overwhelming. However, as the season progressed, their confidence began to grow. Freshman Morgan Apelt stated, “At the beginning of the year, I was really nervous to compete, but now I feel more confident and it feels easy.” Through both coaching and experience, students were able to improve their public speaking skills. The Speech and Drama team is very supportive of each other, and they work to inspire each other at every tournament.
Overall, the Speech and Drama team had a very successful year. The team’s strong performances, individual achievements, and growth throughout the season reflect the dedication of both coaches and students. As the program continues to grow, Billings Central’s Speech and Drama team looks forward to future State Tournaments.
