The GHS Speech team is on a roll with a slate of twelve members compared to the three last year. This year’s speech coach Mrs. Rosenthal prepares for the upcoming, “I feel very confident this year’s team will perform well. I am hoping half advance to Sectionals and from that,  half to State,” said Mrs. Rosenthal. Last year Stephanie Hyde took 5th place in both impromptu and informative at the sectional competition , just two steps away from state.

 In a usual speech meet the contestants participate in a variety of speech competitions, ranging from poetry, to original comedy writing. To prepare,  students practice mostly on their own, “Preparation is mainly on the student. I provide guidance and direction, but usually after the first meet the student gets a better idea of what to change and how to perform,” said Mrs. Rosenthal. The speech season consists of twelve events throughout the winter months. Performing this year are, Stephanie in Informative and Impromptu, Adam in Poetry and Impromptu, Luc in Dramatic Duet Acting and Radio, Christian in Dramatic Duet Acting, Megan in Special Occasions, Ben in Radio & Exempt, Emma in Oratory, Alex in Prose, Jack in Original Comedy, Robert in Oratory Declamation, and Evelyn in Exempt & Special Occasions

Last year Mrs. Rosenthal joined GHS staff and was put in charge of the speech team, “I was the speech coach at Benton for four years and this is my second year at Galena, so six years together.” Said Mrs. Rosenthal, “This year will be different because I’ve got a better understanding of Illinois’s speech program.There are more differences than I was expecting. Also, we have more involvement which will help with chances of advancing.”

The speech team this year is more prepared for the competitions, and is ready for a great season.