LOCAL ORATORS ADVANCE TO STATE FESTIVAL
A number of students from Freeman Academy, Freeman Public, Marion and Menno will be traveling to Harrisburg High School next week for the 2023 State Oral Interpretation Festival. The competition will take place over the course of two days Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2.
From Freeman Academy, senior Jessica Paschal — who earned a superior in Serious Reading — will return to state in the category with “Butterflies” written by Susanne Gervay. Also representing FA will be the readers theater team of Jax Kaufman and Armando, Alea and Arianna Miller, who will present Dave Barry’s “The Difference Between Men and Women.”
FA students are coached by Clara Bessman.
From Freeman Public, Thor Aanenson — who earned a superior in Non-Original Oratory last year — advanced to state in two categories. The sophomore will present “Liespotting” by Pamela Meyer in Non-Original Oratory and “Warning Signs” by Allie Brosh in Humorous.
Freeman Public students are coached by Kristina Sage.
From Marion, the readers theater team of Domoni Butler, Alexa Gortmaker, Harli Ross, Avary Thomas, Kaylee Hernandez and Kolter Schmidt advanced to state with their piece, “Jack and the Beanstalk and the French Fries.” Gortmaker also advanced in Storytelling with “The Mansion and the Visitor,” and Ross will compete in the category of Non-Original Oratory with a piece on creativity.
Marion students are coached by Linda Luke.
And from Menno, the readers theater team of Haylee Hall, Lauren Schoenfish and Ervin Schrock will compete at state with “Mirror Monologues” by Greg Moeller. Additionally, Lexi Hogeland — who won a state superior in the category of Storytelling last year — returns in the same category with “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. And Kaelie Derby and Maggie Miller advanced in Duet Interpretation with their selection, “Night Mother” by Marsha Norman.
Menno students are coached by Betsy Knodel.
All advancing to state did so by receiving top marks at the local, district and region competitions.
