Early on Saturday, October 19, the Wagner Oral Interp team loaded up and headed to Brandon Valley to compete in the BV Speaking Lynx Tournament. This competition included over 330 participants, from schools that are in Class AA, A, and B. Wagner brought our 6 competitors, ready for the challenge! In this tournament, there are 3 rounds, followed by finals, for those who scored high enough to qualify.

Jackson Rolston qualified for Finals with his Non-Original Piece, “A Teacher Changed my Life” by Darren August. In this piece, the speaker talks about how the faith instilled in him by his teachers growing up and the teachers he would interact with later on in his adult life would continue to change his life, but the struggles of teacher shortages and the challenges that teachers face are leading to a mass exodus in the profession. Rolston came away from the Finals round with a tie for 5th place!

Presley Slaba performed her piece in Storytelling, “The Kissing Hand,” by Audrey Penn. This well-known children’s book follows Chester Racoon, as he becomes nervous for his first day of school. As Chester’s mother teaches him however, he has no reason to be nervous, as her love goes with him everywhere, even school! With a kiss of the hand, Chester gets the confidence to face his greatest fear of leaving home. The message is a mother’s love knows no bounds and goes with you, wherever you are.

Taya Stone performed her serious piece, “Rosie the Teddy Bear” by Steve Bergman. This story follows Rosie, the teddy bear who was owned by a little girl with an abusive mother, until she was flung from a vehicle in a drunk-driving accident. While Rosie comforts the little girl for years, she also remains loyal, waiting for the little girl to return to the side of the road for Rosie. Although the little girl will never return, Rosie’s loyalty and love for her will lead her to continue waiting.

The Wagner Readers Theater troupe performed “A Prescription for Embarrassment” by Jerry Rabuska. In this piece, two people face their biggest fear - that the pharmacist will laugh at their medical malady. These two show up to the pharmacy with their “embarrassing problems” and just want to get in, get their prescriptions, and get out! However, the two elderly pharmacists won’t make it easy, as they find their problems to be so…funny! The Readers Theater is made up of Jackson Rolston, Presley Slaba, Macee Stimpson, and Taya Stone.

Also performing Saturday was Macee Stimpson in her duet with Sam Kafka, Kafka giving his serious piece, and Portlyn Jones giving both her humor piece and poetry pieces. All performances from Wagner speakers should make you proud, this was a fierce competition, and the Raiders rose to the challenge! We look forward to continuing our season!