Speech team is a group which competes in various competitions including acting, persuasive speeches, and much more which helps benefit its members in many ways.

It is a group filled with opportunities.

Head coach Karen Schumpp said, “it gives many opportunities acting wise because it allows you to practice your public speaking and make it better.”

She also said how one of the competitions is an acting one where you take a script from a play or movie, memorize it, make it your own, and perform it.

These speeches are not just any ordinary speeches and being on speech team has benefits that will help you now and in the future.

First year member Gabriella Hoeflich stated, “I am so happy I decided to join speech team this year. I absolutely love it.:

She went on to describe their practices.

“What we do in speech team is work towards our competitions. There are many competitions that we can compete in. During the competition, we go in a room with a judge and a few other students. We perform, get judged, then repeat this cycle several times.”

Despite not yet having competed, Hoeflich remarked on the benefits being on the team has already had on her public speaking.

“I used to be terrified of public speaking and now I don’t dread it as much. When I am older I plan on becoming something in law so I know being on it will benefit me by giving me public speaking skills.”

Speech team is accepting of anyone. Even if you aren’t very experienced, you are welcome. All you have to do is show up at a meeting.

People like junior Jessica Krieter, a third year member and captain,will help guide you in the right direction.

Krieter said, “My job as a captain is to help with new and even returning members to make sure everyone is doing well.”

Speech team meets out of West Leyden throughout the week. The days you go depend on the competitions that you are in. For more information contact Mrs. Schumpp.