Some 900 Ohio teens at Canfield High today for state speech tourney

CANFIELD

About 900 teens descended on Canfield High School this weekend, demonstrating their dramatic flair, eloquence, knowledge of current events or ability to win an argument.

The young competitors from across the state were participating in the Ohio High School Speech League State Tournament, which was co-hosted by Canfield and Boardman high schools.

Contestants match their skills in events ranging from debate and extemporaneous speaking, to dramatic or humorous interpretation where they act out scenes from a play, portraying the voices of all of the characters.

Tournaments begin each fall and run all day most Saturdays, culminating in the state event. Competitors must qualify for a berth at the state contest.

Brandon Brooks, a senior at Canfield, has been in speech since his freshman year, his first year in debate. He competes in Prose & Poetry Interpretation, a category in which competitors cull selections from different

literary works with a common theme.

This weekend was his third appearance at the state tournament.

For more on the event, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.