CCMS Speech Team Finishes 4th Overall in KHSSL State Competition, Earns Sustained Excellence Award

Calloway County Middle School's Speech Team finished fourth overall in the KHSSL State Tournament on February 27th in Florence at Boone County High School. The team also earned the Sustained Excellence Award, which recognizes teams that accumulate sweepstakes points over time through consistent success.

Eighteen students represented Calloway County Middle School while competing against teams from 29 qualifying schools across the state.

Individual student performances highlighted the team’s depth and preparation, with six finalists, five semifinalists, and ten quarterfinalists earning top placements.

Finalists included Joel Arrieta, who placed third in declamation; Noelle Raspberry and Kali Hurt, who earned fifth place in duo acting; Andrew Dunnaway, who placed fifth in humorous interpretation; Lilah Hill and Zoree Whitley, who finished sixth in improvisational duo; Payton Hixson, who placed sixth in oratory; and Willow Howland, who placed 6th in poetry. 

Semifinalists, placing in the top 12 of their events, included Maya Hughes and Eden Howland in duo acting; Beau Keene in both extemporaneous speaking and impromptu; Emma Hixson in extemporaneous speaking; and Lilah Hill in impromptu.

Quarterfinalist honors, representing top-24 finishes, were earned by Andrew Dunnaway in broadcasting; Ethan Pervine and Madison Purdy in improvisational duo; Andrew Dunnaway and Willow Howland in improvisational duo; Payton Hixson in poetry; Zoree Whitley in poetry; Madelyn Tudor in prose; Madison Purdy in prose; Ethan Pervine in storytelling; Eliza Hall in storytelling; and Willow Howland in storytelling. Team members Preston Crawford and Parker Hafford also contributed to the team’s overall success through their participation at the state tournament. 

The Calloway County Middle School Speech Team is coached by Jennifer Dunnaway and Kaydee Hughes.