Twelve Millers awarded, including one U.S. champ . . .
This past week, Noblesville High School’s speech team “Miller Speech” competed in the 2018 National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Jahne Manifold, a recently gradated NHS senior, was crowned National Champion in Poetry. Among 463 competitors from 45 states, Manifold brought home the school’s first individual title and Indiana’s first Poetry Champion since 2002. Her program, titled “Where We Live,” spread awareness of gun violence disproportionately affecting black communities.
Abigail VanMeter performing in the final round of Informative Speaking at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Photo provided)
Abigail VanMeter, also a recently graduated senior, qualified to the final round of Informative Speaking for the second consecutive year. Out of nearly 250 competitors, VanMeter placed among the Top 6 speakers. Her speech, “Make it Stick,” highlighted the Post-It and its effect on spreading positive messages in times of tragedy.
Samantha Snyder was named an Octafinalist (Top 60 competitor) in Humorous Interpretation, and Cameron Hudspeth and Madeline Shelton were Octafinalists in Duo Interpretation. The competitors’ breaks in Poetry, Humorous and Duo are all firsts for the team.
Freshman Macy Meunier was a quarterfinalist (Top 28) in Extemporaneous Commentary, Mary Blake Brock placed among the Top 48 in Expository Speaking, and Kaleigh Newton (Informative Speaking), Katherine Conrad (Informative Speaking), Elissa Maudlin (Dramatic Interpretation), and Benjamin Elliott and Kurt Weigel (Duo Interpretation), all placed in the Top 75 in their events out of nearly 250 national competitors.
The association recognized the NHS program as a School of Honor, ranking the team among the Top 40 out of nearly 4,500 participating high schools nationwide. This is the second consecutive year that the team earned that honor.
Miller Speech is led by coaches Chase Elliott and Evan Elliott.
Noblesville High School’s speech team “Miller Speech” was recognized in the Top 40 out of nearly 4,500 participating high schools in the country. (Photo provided)