Each year, speech and debate students across the state learn new and hone existing skill sets, hoping to have fun and perhaps win a few contests along the way. In building those hopes and working for awards and toward bigger competitions, speech and debate students in Jessica Frizzell’s classes will attend a total of seven qualifying tournaments this year prior to regional competitions. Last weekend, they competed in the Owasso Invitational, their fifth tournament of the year, bringing home top honors for their 4A class.
After completing all four previous tournaments, Ms. Frizzell’s students earned a total of fourteen regional qualifications; however, after closing out the Owasso tournament, Bristow students earned another seventeen qualifications—their most for a single tournament and surpassing the year’s previous cumulative total. Now, not only do her students boast thirty-one regional qualifications with two more tournaments to go, but they returned from Owasso first place winners, taking the Class 4A Sweepstakes. For those unaware, winning 4A “Sweeps” means that Ms. Frizzell’s students won top honors of all competing 4A class schools at the Owasso tournament.
The following Bristow students competed at the Owasso tournament: in “Novice Prose” Briar Webb, Ace Roberts, Calvin Gilbert, and Jae’Lynn Runnels—2nd place; in “Poetry” Amelie Allison and Asher Smith—3rd place; in “Humorous Interpretation” Taylor Webb—1st place, Isaiah Wil- son—2nd place, and Xavier Bigpond—3rd place; in “Dramatic Interpretation” Kara Lee, Eva Roberts—1st place, and Zoey Snelling—3rd place; in “Prose” Calleigh Henderson— 1st place, Maggie Gower—3rd place, Kaitlyn Gordon, and Ellie Waller; in “Humorous Duet” Maggie Gower and Melina Luevano—1st place, and Brooklyn Evans and Jordyn Stamper—2nd place; in “Monologue” Makaylie Guynn—1st place, Brooklyn Evans—2nd place, Kara Lee— 3rd place, and Eva Roberts; in “Original Oratory” Leigha VanOrsdol—1st place; in “Lincoln- Douglas Debate” Izzabella Smith—1st place, Divinety Johnson—2nd place, and Kara Lee; in “Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking” Talon Wilbourn—1st place; in “Champs Prose” Amy Welch—2nd place, Kara Lee, and Taylor Webb; in “Champs Monologue” Zoey Snelling— 3rd place; in “Champs Dramatic Interpretation” Taylor Webb and Wake Tidwell; in “Champs Humorous Interpretation” Gary Daughtry—1st place; in “Champs Dramatic Duet” Makaylie Guynn and Beverly Hughes; in “Champs Humorous Duet” Gary Daughtry and Taylor Webb— 1st place; in “Champs Poetry” Leigha VanOrsdol; in “Champs Lincoln-Douglas Debate” Amy Welch—3rd place; and in “Champs Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking” Leigha VanOrsdol.
For her part, Ms. Frizzell most enjoys observing her students explore new opportunities for fun through competition, saying “My favorite thing is when a new student goes to a tournament and has a ton of fun. It’s incredible getting to watch their reactions and connections with other students throughout the craziness of these competitions. In general, I love the competition, seeing the kids push themselves and the resultant pride they build from getting up and doing the challenging thing of speaking in public and competing.”
As always, parents and community members are encouraged to attend competitions and cheer on students. “100 million percent, absolutely. We hope parents get involved with their kids, doing something their kids love, but anyone is invited to attend, observe, and learn. Our judges are filled from a pool of informed, educated parents, so the more parents who get involved, the better our pool of prospective judges.” said Ms. Frizzell. Bristow students’ next qualifying tournament will be February 10 and 11 in Haskell for anyone interested in attending.
To support Bristow’s speech, debate, and theatre students, plan on purchasing a ticket and attending their fun production of “Clue”. The students will perform on February 16, 17, and 18 at 7 p.m. and in a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on the 18th. Tickets cost $10 each for adults, $7 each for children and students, and those under two years of age may enter for free. Tickets may be purchased from theatre students, Bristow High School, and at the door. Email jfrizzell@bristow.k12.ok.us for more information.