The Geneva Grammar Speech Meet is an annual event in which students in first through fifth grades choose either a piece of scripture or poetry from a selection and present it in competition. Students memorize their selected piece and present in preliminary rounds to ultimately try to advance to the finals.
Fifteen students in each category (scripture and poetry) advanced to the Speech Meet Finals and presented in front of their Grammar School admin team and the judges, Mr. Dirk Russell, Academic Dean and Mr. Aaron Southwick, Rhetoric School Humanities Department Head. Students were awarded either a first, second or third place medal for their efforts.
Geneva places a high value on memorizing and reciting pieces to present in front of an audience at an early age.
“We are developing rhetoricians in Grammar School through oral presentations and competitions. The annual Speech Meet begins with memorization of scripture and poetry at home, then a grade level competition, followed by the semifinals and then finals. The students presented to judges and parents this year. Our hope is for students to become confident public speakers,” Grammar School Headmaster Jessica Gombert said.
This year, almost 200 students competed in this voluntary competition and 30 advanced to the finals. All students who participated earned a free homework pass for their hard work and dedication.