Speech Team at Milton
By SUSIE URSTADT ‘20
Speech and debate at Milton is comprised of around 40 students and is split into two teams: speech team and debate team. Debate is different than speech because, as the name implies, it involves arguing over a specific position as assigned in a debate tournament. Speech, however, is comprised of 14 different events split into two categories. The categories are interpretation events and public speaking events. Interpretation includes prose reading, children’s literature, humorous interpretation, duo interpretation, poetry reading, dramatic interpretation, play reading, and multiple reading. Public speaking events include extemporaneous speaking, which is based on quick preparation with research and analysis, group discussion, radio broadcasting, declamation, which is the reading of a famous or important speech, original oratory, or congress.
Matthew Brandstetter, the Milton speech and debate coach, says as written on the Milton website, that “regardless of the professional field they go into, the skills developed in speech and debate hold students in good stead, whether they find themselves speaking to a board of directors or interviewing for a position. Even in the college admissions process, learning to speak intelligently and cogently is an essential skill.” A few weeks ago, the speech team competed at the National Speech and Debate tournament qualifier, where a group of Milton students qualified for Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Last weekend, another group of students competed at the Catholic Forensic League National Tournament qualifier and a couple of kids qualified for Catholic nationals in Chicago.
The students that Milton sends to speech competitions worked hard in order to qualify for nationals. Jack Burton ‘22 says that “speech tournaments are a lot of fun but both very very long and very very draining… This weekend’s tournament took 12.5 hours!” And of the national tournament that he qualified for, he says “is an incredible experience, and hundreds of students would value that opportunity greatly. I look forward to nationals as a learning experience and a chance for me to showcase my hard work.”
Jana Amin ‘21 says that “speech has helped me advocate for issues I care about while honing in my public speaking and speech-writing skills. Speech has helped me become a more confident person. Since freshman year, I have spoken about complicity, hospitality, the importance of our history, and Muslim Women in America. Speech helped me grow as a writer and storyteller, as well as present my work and research to large audiences.” She also says that speech has taught her about “leadership and giving back,” as she is the first junior to be elected captain and does her best to build team camaraderies.
The speech team at Milton has been doing great this year, and it’s no easy task to be present at a speech tournament for 13 hours, especially with sports and homework and other extracurriculars to worry about. So from the Milton Paper to the speech team -- Congrats and we wish you the best of luck in future tournaments!