MAHONING VALLEY Area speech competitors take legacy to nationals

The local speech district is considered one of the most competitive in the nation.
By JENNINE ZELEZNIK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
They're the best in the district.
They're some of the best in the state.
It remains to be seen if these kids have what it takes to be the best in the nation.
Nineteen high schoolers involved with area speech and debate teams will be in Norman, Okla., next Sunday through June 15 for the National Forensic League's National Speech and Debate Tournament.
While there, they will compete against more than 2,000 students from across the nation for top honors and college scholarships.
Level of competition: The 19 students represent the "cream of the crop" of the district, known nationally as one of the top-five most competitive, said Peter Nash, debate coach for Howland High School.
The district encompasses all high schools in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, but not all schools participate.
"The level of competition from students in this area is astounding," added Elizabeth Aldrich, speech and debate coach for Warren JFK.
Austintown Fitch coach John Mazzucco said the national competition will be incredibly difficult.
"It's a crap shoot, a gamble," he said. "You have incredibly gifted, talented kids from all over the country. How do you choose who's best? It really becomes like the seventh game of a World Series between two teams that are evenly matched."
Mazzucco has been a coach with the Fitch team for 23 years and usually has at least one student go to nationals every year.
His advice to students?
"Don't go to nationals with the idea of winning; go with the idea of experiencing," he said. "Take that bite out of life, enjoy the moment, and do the best you can. But realize that there may be hundreds, thousands of kids who may be just as good as you."
First times: Howland High School is sending two debaters to the competition this year: juniors Ric Diaz and Jenna Nash, who will compete in the Lincoln-Douglas debate category. It has been 10 years since any Howland student qualified to compete in that category, Nash said.
"It's going to be the whole nation -- the best of the best," Miss Nash said. "I'm excited to be a part of that elite group."
This also will be the first year at nationals for Matt Ries, a senior at Warren G. Harding High School. According to coach Regina Reese, this is the first time any student from Harding has gone to the national tournament.
As a participant in the humorous interpretation category, Ries chooses a 10-minute segment from a play or movie, then acts out every character using body movement and voices while standing in place. He's chosen a segment from Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" for this year's competition.
Not only does he enjoy playing the characters, but "it's hilarious watching them," he said. "People should pay to watch this. It's fun -- it's entertaining."
Tradition: Excellence in speech and debate competitions are practically traditions in the district, district chairwoman Joan Williams said.
"We have coaches who've been doing this forever," she said. "They bring a sense of honor and tradition with what they're doing. When I came on board, I knew this honor was important. We want to keep the district strong."
Part of that is recruiting new members to programs, which Diaz hopes to help do next year.
"I'm looking forward to teaching the new people -- the upcoming freshmen," Diaz said. "It's something that will continue in our community."
He added, laughing, "And now I get to boss them around."
Williams would also like more area schools to get involved. She said it is an excellent opportunity for students.
"Sometimes these are students who aren't the star athletes, but they get to be part of the team," she said. "It gives them a sense of accomplishment."
It also teaches skills valuable in future careers, Christopher Orlosky added. A senior at Warren JFK, Orlosky plays sports as well as competes in the original oratory category.
"The skills you learn in sports -- you're lucky to use them for a little while in college," he said. "But the skills you learn from speech are with you the rest of your life."