Morganton, NC – Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022
Middle and elementary school students took to the stage this week for the annual Burke County Public Schools Speech Contest. The two separate speech contests were held at the Old Rock School in Valdese on Tuesday for middle school and Wednesday for elementary school. A panel of judges scored the contestants’ speeches and delivery based on volume, posture, clarity, expression, etc. Three students were awarded first, second or third in each category. Elementary speech contest categories included prose, poetry, notable speeches and original composition. Middle school speech contest categories included original oratory, interpretive poetry, interpretive prose, recited oratory and interpretive duo. The first-place winners were given the chance to say their speech in front of the audience in the main auditorium of the Old Rock School after the winners were announced.
See below the names of the first-, second- and third-place winners for the middle school speech contest.
Original Oratory
1st. - Abigail G, East Burke Middle
2nd. - Ansley C., Heritage Middle
3rd. - Alley S., Table Rock Middle
Interpretive Poetry
1st. - Ainsley K., Table Rock Middle
2nd. - William Patrick H., Table Rock Middle
3rd. - Gwyneth P., East Burke Middle
Interpretive Prose
1st. - Luciana H., Liberty Middle
2nd. - Rocco C., Table Rock Middle
3rd. - Adelei M., Heritage Middle
Recited Oratory
1st. - Coley B., Liberty Middle
2nd. - Hannah H., Liberty Middle
3rd. - Emery C., Heritage Middle
Interpretive Duo
1st. - Matilyn B. and Madelyn H., Heritage Middle
2nd. - Haven L. and Claire P., Liberty Middle
3rd. - Cayleigh B. and Mackenna B., Table Rock Middle
See below the names of the first, second and third place winners for the elementary school speech contest.
Prose
1st. - Maggie M,, George Hildebrand Elementary
2nd. - Zoey T., Icard Elementary
3rd. - Judson W., Mull Elementary
Poetry
1st. - Lily R., George Hildebrand Elementary
2nd. - Amelia F., Drexel Elementary
3rd. - Michaela H., Valdese Elementary
Notable Speeches
1st. - Luke L., Salem Elementary
2nd. - Kaden H., George Hildebrand Elementary
3rd. - Reid B., Ray Childers Elementary
Original Composition
1st. - Beckett B., George Hildebrand Elementary
2nd. - Braylee W., Mull Elementary
3rd. - Addison L., Icard Elementary
BCPS Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said, “The talent that I saw at both of these speech contests proves once again how amazing, brave and smart our students are. We all know behind these students are hardworking teachers and parents who have helped them prepare for these contests. Thank you to those who have invested their time in these students to help them succeed. We are so proud of all contestants. Congratulations!”