A Guaranteed Cure for Glossophobia: Park Speech Team
October 20, 2009 • written by Samantha Hartfiel
Glossophobia, or fear of public speaking, is a condition that affects approximately three out of four people. The prospect of standing in front of a room containing a seemingly judgmental populace makes many individual’s skin crawl, heart start beating rapidly, and legs shake uncontrollably. However, for members of the Park High School Speech team, the idea of presenting a speech is perceived as a rewarding and enjoyable way to spend a Saturday.
Speech team is a highly revered and notable academic club that is a key part of the extracurricular infrastructure of Park High School. It consists of students who, with the help of a speech coach, memorize and hone a speech that they present in Twin Cities metro area wide competitions during late winter. Scholars have the opportunity to receive trophies and medals for notable speeches at these weekly competitions, which occur every Saturday in February and March.
Speech team is a favorably flexible club, and offers thirteen different categories for members to present from, including Creative, Discussion, Dramatic Duo, Humorous, Storytelling, Serious Prose, and Original Oratory. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors choose one category and therefore one speech to work on for the Speech season, which runs from the end of November until April. Then, once a week, the youth meet with their assigned speech coach and practice their oration. Seniors are required to choose two categories and two speeches to work on for the year, and meet with their speech coach once a week as well.
Frannie Sprouls, who is entering her third year of speech this year, highly recommends Speech team, believing it has numerous benefits.
“Speech team has improved my glossophobia.” Sprouls informs. “Before, I was nervous to talk in front of people because I thought that they would judge me. However, they do not; they are just worried about their speech. It helped me to get more comfortable in my own skin when I have to present to others.”
Frau Tol, who has been a Speech coach at Park for the past seven years, also feels that Speech Team does wonderful things for students, not only for their self-esteem, but also for their future careers.
“Speech team looks excellent on a high school transcript.” Tol explains. “Also, Speech is beneficial because you get to hang out with fun people, become better at speaking, and it is a lot of fun!”
Members of speech team also learn valuable life skills including diction, poise, discipline, and respect throughout the season, which are priceless assets after high school.
Alex Astin, senior, will be returning once more this November to have fun and hang out with friends, which he considers the best part of Speech team.
Sprouls will be returning one last time too. “Between getting up at 5:00 AM every Saturday, talking to walls, the one clap rule, and standing up on stage to get an award, I would have to say that my favorite part is talking to walls, although standing on stage to get an award is a close second.”Sprouls laughs.
For students who wish to join speech team, coach Tol advices “One should prepare for Speech team with a positive attitude. Be ready to put in some effort and have fun.”
An informational meeting for the 2009-2010 Speech team will be held on Wednesday, November 4th and is open to the whole school. Auditions will occur at the end of November.
“If you want to join speech team, I say go for it!” Sprouls finishes, “It is possibly the best experience you will have during high school. If you do have glossophobia, what better way to conquer that fear?”
Filed Under Arts and Academics, Extracurriculars, Uncategorized
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