Tag Archives: Speech Team

Lexi Burch, News

FC speech team host third annual Highlander Howl

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By Lexi Burch

This weekend FC’s speech and debate team will host its third annual Highlander Howl speech tournament. There will be over ten schools and 150 students participating.

“It is a chance to showcase our school to other teams around the state and bring attention to speech and debate at our school,” said speech coach Wallace Austin.

FC has been hosting this tournament for the past two years and it has been growing each year.

“It’s gotten a whole lot bigger this year year than it was last year,” said junior Sarah Henry. “We have over 150 students participating from all over the state.”

The tournament is a large scale competition with lots of teams, students, and over 50 adult coaches and judges. Putting together a tournament like this takes a lot of time and effort.

“With over 190 competitors it’s very important to be organized in advance and make sure everything goes smoothly during the tournament,” said Austin. “This is our third yeah, so that helps. This is not our first rodeo.”

This tournament is open to the public but students must be accompanied by an adult. The meet begins at 8:30 a.m. and awards are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The Highlander speeh team would love to have as much support as they can get.

“People can watch different events and see for themselves if they would like to participate,” said Austin.

Eli Bolus, News

Speech team accomplishes FC best at state finals

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By Eli Bolus and Jared Murray

 

This past weekend, the FC speech team produced three state finalists: junior Chase Dyer, senior Clayton Cassidy and senior Paige Settles, who went on to place fourth in the state in Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking.

Both Settles and the team placed fourth this year. The state meet uses a sweepstakes system, awarding a higher amount of points to individuals who place higher. The points are then tallied together and the team that garners the most points is awarded first.

While this is the third time Settles has qualified for state, it is the best the team has ever done as a whole, said speech coach Wallace Austin.

“Everybody predicted Paige would break into finals, but none of us really expected to place so high,” said sophomore Sarah Henry.

Settles had a lot to say about her numerous state appearances.

“By the end of the day I was really tired. It was very cut-throat,” said Settles about this year’s state competition.

While some might think that numerous awards and state appearances would be the best part of being a member of such a successful program, Settles had this to say: “[My favorite part about speech] is how much I’ve changed as a person.”

Settles is not the only thing changing on the team. The upcoming season marks the loss of numerous seniors who have helped to shape the program during their time at FC.

“We are losing Paige, who is our team captain and a really great leader, so that will change a lot of things on the team next year” said Henry. Also graduating are AJ Adams, Brittany Bowen, and Cassidy.

Although the season is over for the speech team, preparation have already begun. “People have already started writing or choosing speeches to present next year,” said Henry.

Austin is preparing by sponsoring a rummage sale to raise funds for next year’s season and an upcoming trip to nationals in Indianapolis.  The sale will take place April 28 and donations will be accepted.

 

 

 

News

Speech team wins sectional championship

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“The Highlander Speech Team won the Sectional Championship on Saturday for the first time. Individual champions included Adeline Heitz, Chase Dyer, Clayton Cassady, Paige Settles in two events. Other students who qualified for the state tournament are Michael Clark, Pearce Decker, Kriya Patel, Lauren DeLuca, Sarah Henry, A.J. Adams, Christy Choe, Jill Recchio, Johnathan Sieg, Megan Fifer, Brittany Bowen, and Chelsea Balmer.”

From Speech Team Co-Advisor Wallace Austin.

Features

Teachers strengthen bond through similar interests

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By Rebecca Eberhardt

Bagpiper: How did you first meet?

Lesley and Wallace Austin coach the speech team during the practice on Jan. 31. Photo by Katie Bowling.

Lesley Austin: We met at school. We spent a lot of time together working. We went out because of Match.com. He sent something to me and it was ironic because I did not know he was interested in me like that. He had asked me to the movies before but I did not realize it was in that context and we ended up missing the movie due to snow days.
Wallace Austin: Here at school. She had some questions about the school, classes, and things. Then I asked her to help me coach the speech team because she had a theater background and we developed a friendship and our relationship went from there.

BP: What was it like being proposed to at Thunder over Louisville?
Lesley Austin: We were at the Bat’s Stadium and I was freezing outside because they were running behind. We were on the handicap ramp to the stadium and he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.
Wallace Austin: I thought under the fireworks of Thunder over Louisville would be an appropriate place to pop the question. I wanted it to be someplace special and thought of Thunder over Louisville and we can always go back to Thunder and remember.

BP: What was the wedding like?
Lesley Austin: It was beautiful. It was at my dad’s church. It was mainly for me and my family because Wally does not have that much family.

English teachers Lesley and Wallace Austin pose for photos at their wedding in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Wallace Austin: She wanted to get married in her hometown of Terre Haute, where most of her family is and since I do not have a lot of family in the area that was fine with me. I was given some good advice; do
BP: What is your favorite memory you have of spending time with your spouse?
Lesley Austin: The time we spent on our honeymoon just being together. I remember before I met him, feeling real lonely but now it is a lot better.
Wallace Austin: I do not think it is one thing in particular. The one thing I love about her is that she’s such an honest, genuine, caring person and when I got her in my life, I knew I couldn’t let her go.

BP: What is it like working with your spouse?
Lesley Austin: It is not bad. We teach some of the same classes, so it helps with planning. We also coach speech team together.
Wallace Austin: It is fun. We get to see each other a lot more. There are times when work and home seem to blend together but we’re very open and honest so we resolve to them quickly. It can add stress to a relationship but we resolve it. We collaborate with our work since we teach the same grade level.

BP: What advice do you have for students in relationships right now who are preparing for Valentine’s Day?
Lesley Austin: It is not the price of the gift or a gift at all. It is just having that person.
Wallace Austin: Do not take it too seriously, have fun with it. Do not feel like you have to spend a lot of money. A handwritten poem and a flower are better than a big box of chocolates and perfume in my point of view. It is about letting that person know how you feel about them and thanking them for being in your life.