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Zoe Lewis and Ellie Scheldberg to compete in state and national speech tournaments

Zoe Lewis and Ellie Scheldberg to compete in state and national speech tournaments

 

Burnsville High School students Zoe Lewis, 12th grade, and Ellie Scheldberg, 11th grade, are competing in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Speech tournament, held virtually on April 23-24. 

Zoe has been a member of the speech team since its inception 3 years ago. She has always found great success in speech and was made a team captain last year. She has competed in several categories, but the categories of Dramatic Interpretation and Program Oral Interpretation (POI) are where she has found the most success. Zoe has advanced through the 6AA section tournament and will be representing Burnsville at the MSHSL tournament. In addition to this success, Zoe has qualified to compete in the national speech tournament hosted by the National Speech and Debate Association this summer.

Zoe will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire next year and plans to major in education.

Ellie has also been a member of the speech team since its refounding. Ellie is a passionate and dedicated competitor on the BHS speech team and has had great success throughout her time on the team. As a freshman, Ellie placed 7th overall in the 6AA section tournament. Last year as a sophomore, Ellie began to compete in the categories Humorous Interpretation and POI. Ellie did so well in Humor that she advanced all the way to the national tournament and took 8th in the nation last year! This year, Ellie has continued to compete in Humorous Interpretation and POI and has already advanced through the 6AA section tournament. The team anticipates Ellie placing very high at both the MSHSL tournament and nationals. 

“We are confident that Zoe and Ellie will do well in both state and national competition!” said Derek Tano, speech team coach. “And, Ellie will continue to do amazing things in speech next year as a senior at BHS. We can’t wait to see where their success takes them in the future!”