Beatrice speech ready to take on nationals, for first time in school history

BEATRICE, Neb. - A Southeast Nebraska high school speech team is set to make history.

“It’s really meant a lot for the team to watch them grow and their success, and being here for two years to see the growth from them, it’s been really cool.” Molly James said. 

Molly James is the coach of the first ever speech team from Beatrice High School to send participants to the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions, better known as NIETOC - nationals for speech.

Senior Melanie Brockman will take on extemporaneous speaking at this weeks tournament in Liberty, MO. and explains how it’ll work.

“So typically we draw three topics out of an envelope, whether about international or national issues, then we get 30 minutes to write a speech, but also prepare it and give it, being gully memorized, not having notecard or anything,” Brockman said.

Meanwhile, senior Shelby Eldridge says this week will also take on a mental toll and having some thick skin.

“You have to enjoy what you do because you spend so much time with it,” Eldridge said. “There are certain judges at competitions who will tear you apart, but sometimes those are the best judges because they can see what you’re doing well, but can also show what you have to improve on.

Over $2,000 have been raised for the trip to NIETOC through fundraisers and private donations. Eldridge and Brockman say success at NIETOC, would mean a lot to them personally, but it also means setting the foundation for speech teams in the future.

“It would give us a name finally, we’re such a small team, and sometimes people overlook us,” Eldridge said. “To go and win any sort of award or make the finals would mean so much.”

“It’s a pretty special thing knowing we’re the first two to go and get this foot in the door for people in the future,” Brockman said.

The tournament begins Thursday, May, 15 and lasts through Sunday the 18th.