On Saturday, February 8, the Marietta Speech Team competed at the Rush Springs
Speech Tournament.
Several students placed on Saturday and qualified for the regional tournament to be
held in March. They are Jansen Renick, first in Standard Oratory; Dovan Bucher, first in
Monologue; Haylen Lowery, second in Monologue; Kara Miller, second in Poetry; Benito
Maldonado, second in Prose; Delaney Aust, second in Dramatic Interpretation; Ace
Austin, second in Humorous Interpretation; Kamarah Bertrand and Aubrey Chill, second
in Dramatic Duet Acting; Shawn Vasquez and Benito Maldonado, second in Humorous
Duet Acting; Brice Carlile, third in Prose; Kelsi Lawson, third in Poetry; Estefany
Sanchez, third in Monologue; Xiomari Kiersis, third in Program of Oral Interpretation;
Kyle Austin, third in Champs Prose; and Haylen Lowery and Xiomari Kiersis, third in
Champs Humorous Duet Acting.
In Novice Poetry, Bella Faulkenberry placed first, continuing her undefeated season.
The team won first place in the tournament sweepstakes.
“I’m so proud of everyone that has been working so hard this season. They get to
school early and stay late for coaching sessions, spend hours memorizing lines and
blocking, and help each other every step of the way,” said Coach Alicia Harris.
“I was told twice on Saturday how kind my students are and that is the highest
compliment anyone could ever pay us. This group of kids are amazing actors and
speakers, but more importantly, they are amazing people!”