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Henderson High School Holds Annual Public Speaking Contest
Henderson High School Holds Annual Public Speaking Contest
Henderson High School recently coordinated its annual Janet Walton Girls Public Speaking Contest, a tradition spanning more than 50 years.
Eleven students representing all four grades participated in this year’s contest.
In order to participate, students select and memorize a published piece between 2 ½ and 3 ½ minutes long. The piece must first be approved by the principal and contest coordinator, and may not be a drama excerpt or a performance found solely on YouTube.
Students have approximately five weeks to practice and prepare for the contest, and in the process they work closely with a teacher with whom they select to help coach them through the process.
The contestants perform their piece in front of a live audience comprised of students, teachers, parents, and community members. They are judged on their stage presence, audience awareness, voice, articulation, phrasing, and movement.
The 2015 winners of the Janet Walton Girls Public Speaking Contest are:
• First place: Nikki Aigeldinger, Grade 12, performed “Say Yes” by Andrea Gibson
• Second place: Giselle London, Grade 9, performed “The Fault in Our Scars” by Connor Franta
• Third place (tie): Maddie Gershman, Grade 10, performed “Jellyfish” by Sarah Kay; Quinn Rainer, Grade 12, performed an excerpt from “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult
The D. Webster Meredith Boys Speaking Contest will be held in April of 2016.
For more information, please contact Ms. Tracey Dukert, Digital Communications Coordinator, West Chester Area School District at 484-266-1170 or tdukert@wcasd.net.