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It’s my pleasure to invite you and your middle school speech team/clubs to the 4th Annual Grand Island Northwest ‘Viking Voice Junior’ Middle School Speech Tournament on Saturday, March 27th, 2021. We hope this is a great way for your students to gain experience, find their voice, and have fun with the great activity we all love. This contest is open to all students in 6th-8th grade. Each student may enter up to three events. Details are below:

Poetry Interpretation- An 8-minute maximum performance of one poem or a group of related poems. A student-written introduction of the program is expected, but transitions are optional. Students must present poetry with a copy of the poem(s) in front of them.

Prose Interpretation(Humorous and Serious)- A 10-minute maximum performance of a cutting from a

book, short story, comic book, play, or screenplay by one person. A student-written introduction is expected, but the student may be performed with or without the copy of the piece in front of them.

Expository Speaking- An 8-minute maximum student-written speech whose purpose is to explain a concept in an informative or entertaining way to an audience. The student may use a visual aid in

the speech and may perform with or without the copy of their speech in front of them.

Persuasive Speaking- An 8-minute maximum student-written speech whose purpose is to persuade or convince an audience to believe in a position or issue and/or change their beliefs/behavior with an issue. The use of ethos, pathos, and logos should be incorporated. No visual aids are permitted; the student may perform with or without a manuscript

Impromptu Speaking- 10 minute time period where students prepare and deliver a speech on a topic that they draw. Students may or may not use a notecard when delivering the speech.

Declamation- a 10-minute performance of a speech with historical, social, and/or cultural significance. The speech should have a student-written introduction explaining the context/significance of the speech, plus any other marks about its style/genre.

Duet Acting/Duo Interpretation- 10-minute performance of two students of a cutting of play, skit, or screenplay. A student-written introduction is expected. If performing without scripts, students can use two chairs/table (which Northwest will not provide). If performing with scripts, students should use off-stage focus and pantomiming similar to prose and poetry interpretation.

Reader’s Theatre- A 15-minute maximum cutting of a play, book, or screenplay performed by 3-5 students. Students may play multiple roles. Off and on stage focus is permitted and scripts are required. A student-written introduction is expected. Performance may use platforms, stools, and music stands.

Tentative Schedule-- If Entries are larger than the number of rooms our school can handle; we have to go to a schedule that is double flighted.

This year, we are giving awards out 1st through 6th place. Awards will be given to the top two teams in school sweepstakes.

Fees are $ 4.00 per entry. The increase of pricing this year is due to moving to Speechwire for registration, scheduling, and tabbing services. Please bring one judge for every 6 entries. These may be adults or high school students you feel are ready to give constructive feedback to middle school students. I feel that is a great way to prepare future judges. Cost for each uncovered slot is $6.00. Make checks out to Northwest Public Schools.

We will be serving food throughout the day for your team in our cafeteria. More information about concessions will come out later.

Just like a high school tournament, please instruct your students on tournament etiquette of signing in if double entered, being good audience members, wearing appropriate clothing, and respecting the room they’re performing in.

Brian Gibson
Email address: bgibson@ginorthwest.org
Phone number: 308-390-7549

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