The Denver Archdiocesan Speech Association hosted 150 students from 21 schools Dec. 14 at Holy Trinity School in Westminster at the Eighth Grade Trophy Speech Meet.
Schools competed in individual and team categories, according to Dana Gallegos, president of the association and teacher at Christ the King School in Denver. All-school awards were presented in the large team category (nine-plus members) to: St. Thomas More, Centennial, first; Most Precious Blood, Denver, second; and St. Therese, Aurora, third. In the small team category (two to eight members), all-school winners were: St. Mary, Littleton, first; St. Catherine of Siena, Denver, second; and St. Vincent de Paul in Denver, third.
Trophies were presented to individual finalists, first through sixth places, in six different categories: speechmaking, impromptu, and oral interpretation of previously published material in poetry, humor, drama, and oratory. Students qualified for the trophy meet during the Eighth Grade Open Meet Oct. 19 at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver.
Pictured is the team from St. Thomas More, back row: coach Lori Lucas, Ryne Cunningham, Megan Rider, Theresa Nelson, Katie Frontz, Lauren Olczak, Hannah Ammerman, Bryan Kent, Bradley Terry and Rachel Searle; and kneeling from left: Makena Baldwin, Sydney Lindquist, and Gabrielle East.
