Milaca Invitational next
for winning speech team
Posted 3/13/03

The Milaca High School Speech Team has been busy competing and winning at invitationals.

On Saturday, Feb. 8 the team travelled to Sauk Rapids with 20 speakers. The team finished fourth in the medium size category. Senior Ginny Hoheisel placed first in discussion, while freshman Anna Wildman placed fifth in humorous.

On Saturday, Feb. 15, the team went to Cambridge and took home first place. Thirty-six speakers participated, with 14 of them placing in the top six. Milaca beat out Princeton for the championship.

First place winners at that competition included sophomore Leah Karels, poetry; freshman Allysa Wildman, storytelling; junior Paul Carlson, drama; and Ginny Hoheisel, discussion.

At the Braham Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 22, Milaca placed second overall and first in the large team division.

With 37 speakers, 15 were finalists. The two first place winners at that competition included Leah Karels in poetry and Ginny Hoheisel in discussion, which was her third straight win.

On Saturday, March 1, Milaca placed fourth out of 19 schools competing at St. Anthony Village. Milaca had four finalists and two honorable mentions at the meet.

Milaca High School hosted the Rum River Conference Meet on Thursday, March 6 and placed second.

First place winners were Ginny Hoheisel, discussion; sophomore Jenny Secord and junior Simon Kittok for drama duo; Lyssa Wildman, storytelling; and freshman Zac Sanders, creative expression.

Second place went to junior Kristen Berg, great speeches; freshman Crystal Bockoven, poetry; and junior Angie Schummer, extemporaneous reading.

Third place winners included Anna Wildman, humor; junior Nikki Timmer, extemporaneous speaking; and senior Mike Minks, informative speaking.

Fourth place winners were Paul Carlson, drama; sophomore Kate Fogel, discussion; sophomore Amanda Roehl, prose; seventh grader Justin Bertram, extemporaneous speaking; and Leah Karels, poetry.

Fifth place winners include junior Jenna Zakrajsek, extemporaneous reading; sophomore Brooke Whittemore, extemporaneous speaking; and junior Erik Johnson, great speeches.

Sixth place finishes went to senior Andy Dubany, drama and sophomore Emily Carlson, prose.

On Saturday, March 8, the team competed at Sauk Centre Invitational, placing third behind Apollo and Cathedral.

Forty-one team members competed with nine making the finals. Those placing included Leah Karels second in poetry, Paul Carlson second in drama, and Virginia Hoheisel second in discussion, Angie Schummer third in extemporaneous reading, Jenna Zakrajsek fourth in extemporaneous reading, senior Nate Harris fifth in discussion, Erik Johnson fifth in great speeches, sophomore Anna Phillips and Mike Minks fifth in informative speaking.

The Milaca Invitational, which will be held Saturday, March 15, is the next event for the team.

The state tournament begins with sub-sections on Saturday, March 29. The MHS Speech Team is coached by instructor Jack Palmer.