Speech Festival Awards Honor Outstanding Student Speakers

The annual Merced County Speech Festival awards ceremony took place last night at the MCOE Downtown Center, where 40 students were honored for their skills in speechcraft and presentation.

The ceremony recognized students from 11 different schools who participated in the competition earlier this month. During the four-day festival, nearly 120 students presented their speeches based on categories from the Spring Writing Festival, which included persuasive, tall tale, legend and fable speech. 

Winning speeches were selected from each grade level by judges who evaluated students on criteria such as delivery, interpretation and overall presentation. Many students also received honorable mentions. 

Additionally, first place winners for each grade level were invited to recite their award-winning speeches during the ceremony for family, friends and audience members.

The 2023 Merced County Speech Festival Award Winners: 

FIRST PLACE
4th Grade: Logan Albrecht, Luther Burbank, “Sea Turtles”
5th Grade: Liliana Kisling, Our Lady of Mercy School, “Anxiety/Depression”
6th Grade: Matyas Mejia-Guzman, Peggy Heller, “Star Wars”
7th Grade: Carsen Dickey, Hilmar Middle School, “House Plants/Medicine”
8th Grade: Mahek Kahlon, Our Lady of Mercy School, “College Tuition”

SECOND PLACE
4th Grade: Michael Hicks, Our Lady of Mercy School, “Mosquitos”
5th Grade: Genevieve Royal, Peggy Heller, “Body Image”
6th Grade: Owen Pedrozo, Our Lady of Mercy School, “Support Local”
7th Grade: Milana Lacey, Hilmar Middle School, “Body Language”
8th Grade: Luna Mena, Our Lady of Mercy School, “Divorced Parents”

THIRD PLACE
4th Grade: Fue Her, Farmdale Elementary School, “Soccer”
5th Grade: Alonna Campos, Farmdale Elementary School, “Kill Shelters”
6th Grade: Ellery Hunter, Our Lady of Mercy School, “Be Kind”
7th Grade: Hazel Torres, Ballico Elementary School, “Dress Code”
8th Grade: Isamary Morales, Bryant Middle School, “Abortion”

For more information about the Merced County Speech Festival and how to participate next year, contact events@mcoe.org.