Owatonna Students Talk Their Way to State Speech Meet

Four Owatonna High School students qualified for the state speech meet. During interviews with AM 1390 KRFO, they all indicated they were thrilled to have a season this year even if it had to be on a virtual basis. It's the first state appearance for senior Megan Copeland and juniors Julia Christenson and Fardouza Farrah. Junior Jackson Hemann spoke at state two years ago as part of a duo.

UPDATE: Christenson finished 6th in humor. Farrah was 7th in discussion.

Copeland feels she has improved throughout her time on the speech team, peaking with the state qualification this year. She is in extemporaneous reading. One of the main characters in the assigned book is blind, as Copeland also is. She says it was a coincidence, but she adds that she can really relate to the character.

OHS senior Megan Copeland

Copeland was just featured in a write-up by the John Millea with the Minnesota State High School League.

Christenson said she was "dragged" into speech in eighth grade by some friends. She has found it to be a wonderful to overcome the fear of speaking in public. She is in humor for state and tells of a 1960's Tupperware party gone awry.

OHS junior Julia Christenson

Farrah is in discussion under the topic of Global Wellness which requires her to be well-versed in the topic overall.

OHS junior Fardouza Farrah

Hemann is in drama. His speech is about a family that suffers loss through a miscarriage.

OHS junior Jackson Hemann

Coach Marcia Anderson says the team grew together very well during the season since any interaction with students from other schools was only over the computer.

OHS Speech Coach Marcia Anderson

Owatonna has almost 30 students on the speech team.