It is hard to imagine what it would be like to prepare for an Oral Interpretation Meet. That is, unless you have been in the activity before. Oral Interp isn't like a group sports activity where there are practices every day after school. It is more of an individual event that has to be practiced with the coaches every week on an individual basis, or by event. But, that's not enough. Oral Interpers have to go beyond the practices they have in front of the coaches; they have to practice a lot on their own. This includes at home, in front of their friends and families, and even speaking to wall. Yes, to walls. If you've ever walked into one of these meets, you would see student upon student practicing their speeches in front of a wall; no audience. This may seem strange, but it is a great way to prepare to go in front of the judges they have to face that day. So, it is easy to say that the kids have to practice and prepare a lot for the meets they are attending.

That practice was evident when it came to The Wagner Oral interp Team competing at The Winner Interpretation Oral Interp Contest. There were two rounds where the students had to perform each of their pieces in front of a judge. This gave the students some great feedback and the opportunity to give their speeches in front of a judge as well as an audience. The final round was the Reader's Theater portion which was performed once in front of multiple judges.

The students performed in the following categories: Drama, Humorous, Poetry, Non-Original Oratory, Duet, Storytelling, and Reader's Theater. Wagner brought home some nice placings. In the Drama section, Slyler Kourt, and Mia Dion earned the top ranking Superior ranking, followed by Karly Reiter and Jennifer Barnett receiving Excellent. In the Humorous portion, Kallen Kafka was top ranked with a Superior. In Poetry Ciara Nelson earned a Superior, and Karly Reiter earned an Excellent Ranking. In Non-Original Oratory, Ciara Nelson received a Superior. In the Duet portion, Mackenzie Hollingsworth/Skyler Kourt, and Kallen Kafka/Michelle Soukup earned Superiors followed by the duos of Trenton Rolston/ Daniel Soukup, Cheyenna Davis/ Kendra Kreeger, Jennifer Barnett/ Mia Dion, and Kaleb Zephier/ Vincent Bechen earning an Excellent Ranking. In Storytelling, Mackenzie Roberts received the top ranking of Superior. In the final Category of the day, the Reader's Theater of Kallen Kafka, Daniel Soukup, Micelle Soukup, and Mackenzie Roberts earned a Superior ranking, followed by Skyler Kourt, Monroe Kessler, Kendra Kreeger, Karly Reiter, and Mackenzie Hollingsworth bringing home an Excellent Ranking.

The kids continue to do an excellent job with all of their hard work and continued efforts to give great speeches not only at these meets, but also in all of the practices they put in. The next meet will be on Saturday, October 12th, held at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School.