Speaking Out

Senior Ryan Gallagher has been on the Duluth Speech Team for three years running, but no year had run quite as smoothly as this one. The season has been very successful, “There’s been four meets that I’ve placed very high in; fifth in Eden Prairie, second place twice at Denfeld, and first at Centennial and Walker,” said Gallagher.

Ryan’s particular category is original oratory which is essentially a “persuasive essay”. “I’ve really grown this year. I joined as a sophomore, and I’ve really matured over the last three years. I’ve learned how to improve and learn from my mistakes,” said Gallagher. There’s been some tough competition this year, “My main competition was from Moorhead and she really pushed me harder and I was able to beat her twice this year.”

During the speech season team members learn countless new speeches, “My favorite speech was from this year, it was called, “values learned from losing”, my most challenging speech was from last year, it was about what would happen if the us went bankrupt. It was pretty controversial and it was difficult to make sure l was connecting to audience and judges.”

“Ryan is an amazing speaker. He works with diligence, and is very passionate. I love how amazing he is. He is sure to be amazing for the rest of his life,” said Denfeld senior Jack DeMars.

The payoff of the whole speech season however is nationals which this year will to be held in Kansas City, Missouri. This weekend is National Qualifiers in northern Minnesota, “There’s five runs of preliminaries, semi finals (top 12) final round (top 6 given in front of auditorium) top two make it to nationals,” said Gallagher.

Ryan would encourage anyone to join speech because of how it helps prepare you for life, “I definitely have become a better speaker, my leadership has grown ad how I work with people has definitely improved as well. My public speaking skills will really help me in a small or large group, which will help me with any job.”

“My final thoughts on this year’s season summed up in one word would be, amazing. I look forward to competing at qualifiers and I’ve been proud of the expansion of the East team, that’s been very good to see,” said Gallagher.

Information for joining the speech team comes out in November and December of every year, the season begins in January, though students can still join mid-February.

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