Cajon Speech Team Entertains at First Annual Spring Speech Showcase

This past Friday, April 11th, students at Cajon High School participated in the First Annual Spring Speech Showcase in front of a receptive audience after a year of competing around the county. The Cajon Speech and Debate Team is in its 3rd year and although they‘re a fairly new team they’re making great strides. Two students, eleventh and twelfth graders Andre and Myles Moore, even won a spot at the California State Championships in Modesto, CA. The brothers will perform their duo comedy, “The Elf Rebellion” there this May. As the team’s coaches and founders, Cajon teachers Mark and Joanne Stowitts, offer support and positive feedback to their students throughout the year. They help students refine the writing and presentation of their speeches and offer invaluable assistance in other areas including homework, transportation, emotional support, and food. Most importantly, however, they teach students the fine art of peer-review through the use of informed feedback and constructive criticism. At the Speech Showcase, students performed a variety of monologues and dialogues ranging from dramatic interpretation, original prose and poetry, humorous interpretation and oratorical interpretation; twelve speeches in all. Some speeches were serious; some were heartwarming, while others were funny situational stories that allowed students to play eccentric characters causing the audience to laughing out loud. Overall, it was a well-balanced and enjoyable show. Eleventh grader Megan Brannon performed a speech titled, “To This Day” by Shane Koyczan, originally performed at a TED conference. Attendees agreed that her interpretation and delivery were graceful and seamless. Tenth grader Monica Gutierrez performed a humorous interpretation titled, “The Chronicle of Vladimir Todd…8th Grade Bites.” In this performance, she played a multitude of characters ranging from an 8th grade vampire to a wannabe-super-cool soccer mom. Tenth grader Jacqueline Villalpando performed her Original Oratory titled, “What is Beautiful?” In this speech, Jacqueline discussed America’s obsession with beauty. It was both informational and insightful. The last speech of the night was by twelfth grader Woody Sundberg who performed an original and well-written story titled, “For Silvia.” Woody’s performance required him to play two characters – which he did brilliantly – keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. “This kid is going to be the next Stephen King. He must have revised that story forty times until he got it perfect,” said Mrs. Stowitts. Cajon’s Speech and Debate Team brought more than just pride to their school this speech season. They also provided a place where students feel comfortable to be themselves. The students are welcoming and kind to one another which may be why the team continues to grow each year; it’s doubled in size since last year. The students had such a positive experience, that some speechies – as they call themselves – have decided to “pay it forward” by helping San Bernardino middle schools develop their own speech teams. One of those students is eleventh grader Alejandra Davila who has been spending Monday and Thursday afternoons at Cesar Chavez Middle School. More students are expected to follow Alejandra’s lead. “We would like to start one [a team] at Richardson Prep next year too,” said Megan Brannon. The spring showcase may have marked the end of this school year’s speech season, but the Cajon High School team is already excited and preparing for next year’s competitions.