3 students to vie in nationals

D.A. WILKINSON

wilkinson@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

In an era of buzz words, the beauty of speech still rules.

The Columbiana School District has three students who will be participating in the National Speech Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., from June 12 to 17.

Officials said it’s the first time Columbiana schools and the first time students from Columbiana County have made the nationals.

The Columbiana winners are Phillip White, 18, Zack Fiore, 18, and Ian MacGillivray, 16.

White and Fiore competed in different categories in the county event — humor interpretation and dramatic interpretation, respectively.

They decided to form a team and perform a duo interpretation and go for the nationals.

Fiore said the interpretation can combine drama and humor and can go on for 10 minutes.

Trisha Nord, the speech- team coach, said that during duo interpretation, the two, “are not allowed to look at each other or interact.”

She noted that they created their program in just three weeks.

In a sample performance, White talked as a character in the movie “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and moved about while Fiore moved in response to White — who was just inches away — without speaking.

MacGillivray took part in the International Extemporaneous Speaking, which is not simply standing at a podium and reciting a written document.

Nord said the competitors can draw three topics. One is picked, and the speaker has 30 minutes to come up with his pro or con response to the issue.

MacGillivray said he is interested in going into medical school when he graduates, and he is not sure where speaking might fit into his future.

Nord said that there will be events to raise funds so the students can drive to to the event. The local Rotary Club has pledged $500.

Nord said that in the competition, “It’s not how well you can do, only that you do your best. The whole idea is ‘don’t give up.’”