I Do Declare: Lower School Speech Team Competes

What a wonderful experience for the MJS Lower School Speech Team at their first league tournament as members of the Southern California Junior Forensics League. In this afternoon event, third and fourth grade team members participated in individual events for poetry, duo interpretation (poetry/storytelling), informative speech, and original interpretation (i.e., an original piece written and performed by the author). The competition was fierce as our team competed with 103 students from five other schools in the San Gabriel Valley. At the end of the day, 17 MJS team members were selected to compete in final rounds. Team spirit was strong! "That was a lot of fun!" said Connor McKinney at the end of his first round. After the third round of competition in storytelling, Chloe Tjo said, "I really don't care if I don't get a trophy, I had a great experience just being here." Needless to say, we are proud of all our team members and their enthusiastic team effort. As Cornelia Connelly said, "Perseverance gains the crown!" and it couldn't have been truer on the campus of Roosevelt Elementary School last Saturday.

This is the third year students have participated in an extra-curricular Elementary Speech Team, Students meet and rehearse weekly after school. Focus is placed on developing public speaking skills and experiencing literature through presentation and storytelling.