CCMS Speech Wins 23rd Straight Regional Championship, Advances to State

Calloway County Middle School's Speech Team placed first in the Lakes Region of the Kentucky High School Speech League junior regional tournament on Saturday. This is the 23rd straight speech regional championship for CCMS.

Six CCMS students were named regional champions in their events including Noelle Raspberry in declamation, Andrew Dunnaway in humorous interpretation, Payton Hixson in oratory, Madelyn Tudor in prose as well as the duo acting team of Maya Hughes and Eden Howland along with the improvisational duo team of Lilah Hill and Zoree Whitley.

The team also had eight students named regional runners-up in their individual events. These include Joel Arrieta in declamation, Zoree Whitley in dramatic interpretation, Emma Hixson in extemporaneous speaking, Preston Crawford in humorous interpretation, Lilah Hill in impromptu, Beau Keene in oratory, Payton Hixson in poetry, Madison Purdy in prose and Willow Howland in storytelling.

All regional champions and runners-up will advance to the state tournament along with these students who also qualified: Eliza Hall, Parker Hafford, Kali Hurt, and Ethan Pervine.

The team now moves on to state competition in Lexington in late February.

The CCMS Speech Team is coached by Jennifer Dunnaway and Kaydee Hughes.