MOUNT VERNON — From Shakespeare to original oratory, from poetry to chamber theater and humorous recitations, talented students from around the county showcased their speaking skills at the 2008 Knox County Speech contest held April 29 at the First Presbyterian Church.
John Jurkowitz, gifted consultant with the Knox County Educational Service Center, said he was impressed with this year’s contestants.
“The chamber theater presentations were especially good,” he said. “Both were of high quality, the best we’ve seen in years.”
Winners in the categories were: Dramatic literature, Melody Maxwell, Centerburg High School, first place, and Tyler Mathias, Centerburg High School, second place; Poetry, Evan Dusthimer, Danville High School, first place, and Rachel Gault, East Knox High School, second place; Shakespeare, Michael Hogancamp, Danville High School, first place, and Jackie Hart, Centerburg High School, second place.
Original oratory, Josie Rine, East Knox High School, first place, and Paul Jackson, East Knox High School, second place; Humorous literature, Shelby Gonzales, Danville High School, first place, and Julianne James, East Knox High School, second place; Declamation, Patrick Crow, first place, and Robin Alden, second place, both of Danville High School.
Jurkowitz said judges had difficulty choosing the Chamber Theater winner because the scores were so close. Danville High School earned the first-place slot, edging out second place East Knox High School by a mere three-point margin.
Members of Danville High School’s Chamber Theater group were Carmen Bowden, Ira Chapman, Patrick Crow, Keith Drake, Shelby Gonzales, J.D. Henson and Michael Hogancamp.
Members of East Knox High School’s Chamber Theater troupe include: Ben Betscher, David Downey, Aarin Frazee, Rachel Gault, Paul Jackson, Julianne James, Kristen Noll and Josie Rine.
A plaque engraved with each first-place winner’s name and year will be displayed in the winner’s high school next year. Each first- and second-place winner received a gold speech pin during the awards presentation, and will receive a certificate later in May.
Brad Burchfield coaches the Centerburg speech team; Jim Holmes is the Danville coach and Tara Colopy leads the East Knox orators.
Judges for the contest were Bonny Buffington, Ryan Burns, Arjav Ezekial, James Gyenes, Hally Roberts, Kathleen Someah, Cynthia Stuart, Jan Taylor and Raluca Toma.
Jessica Bender and Kelly Hammons served as announcers and timekeepers.
