Elementary, middle school students shine in annual speech contests

Morganton, NC – Thursday, Dec. 18,  2025

Prose, poetry, notable speeches and original oratory echoed through the halls of the Old Rock School in Valdese throughout the day Thursday as elementary and middle school students overcame nerves and faced most people’s biggest fear: public speaking. Burke County Public Schools held its annual speech contests as students from across the district recited nearly 80 speeches. The students were judged on criteria such as pace, annunciation, memorization and time. First-, second- and third-place medals were awarded in each category and the first-place winners had the option to give their speeches to an audience of fellow students, proud parents and school district dignitaries, including members of the Burke County Board of Education. The board will recognize the winners again at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. Congratulations to all of the students who won contests at their school level and bravely competed at the district level Thursday. Well done!

The winners, their school and the title of their speeches are listed below:

Elementary

Prose

First - Adaline H., Salem, “Handsome Warren”

Second - Allison G., Forest Hill, “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” 

Third - Keraghen W., WA Young, “Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business”

Notable Speeches

First - Brody B., George Hildebrand, “I Am A Champion!”

Second - Samuel B., Oak Hill, “The First Inaugural Speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt”

Third - Paisley Z., Icard, “The United Nations Youth Assembly”

Poetry

First - Ellie T., Salem, “The Anteater”

Second - Andrew C., Icard, “Do Not Bring Your Dragon to Recess”

Third - Caroline C., Ray Childers, “Room on the Broom”

Original Composition

First - Eleanor V., Glen Alpine, “Life as an Autism Sister”

Second - Raylan S., Mull, “Right In the Middle - Right Where I Belong”

Third - Millie G., Drexel, “My Reason to Praise”

Middle

Interpretive Prose

First - Charlotte R., Table Rock, “Like Mom, Like Kid”

Second - Madilyn E., Liberty, “Merry Birthday”

Third - Caleb C., Walter Johnson, “Dog Breath”

Recited Oratory

First - Brookelyn S., Liberty, “The Eco”

Second - Wesley A., Walter Johnson, “Nelson Mandela’s Speech”

Third - Lily T., Table Rock, “Dear Softball”

Interpretive Poetry

First - Adah C., Liberty, “Television”

Second - Zoey T., East Burke, “The One Minute Sermon"

Third - Lacey N., Liberty, “The Pig”

Interpretive Duo

First - Isabel H. and Whitley S., Liberty, “Evil Twin”

Second - Jenna K. and Eleanor T., Liberty, “Secret Crush”

Third - Abby P. and Blair C., Liberty, “Most Popular” 

Original Oratory

First - Beckett B., East Burke, “Family Superlatives”

Second - Harper B., Table Rock, “My Softball Journey”

Third - Michaela H., Heritage, “Every Number Has a Name”