Photos by Dave Hanson
Frazee Hornets speech hosted its first ever Speech Showcase titled “We have something to say” on Monday, March 23 in the FHS commons, with a host of parents, family, and friends in attendance. The showcase featured speakers from across the FHS ranks, with several different categories represented. Performing for the showcase were: Rae Martinson, Joseph Bachleitner, head coach Reese Hanson, Emersyn Wake, Selene Tieden, and Lilah Ohman.

By Dave Hanson

Review Messenger

The Frazee Hornets speech team hosted its first ever “We have something to say” speech showcase on Monday, March 23 in the Frazee High School commons, with a host of parents, family and friends in attendance. The showcase featured speakers from across the Frazee High School ranks, with several different categories represented from dramatic interpretation, poetry, prose, original oratory, program oral interpretation and humor. 

Frazee freshman Selene Tieden stole show Monday night with her competitive NIETOC piece entitled “Nice Boy” by Alyssa Zaczek. Both Tieden and FHS senior Joseph Bachleitner with his piece, “The Heroin Diaries” by Nikki Sixx are closing in on earning enough points at tournament qualifiers to earn a spot in the NIETOC nationals in Shakopee, May 8-10.

The Hornets, who are in their third year of competitive speech as a varsity program, have grown and excelled throughout this year, including a third place team finish at the Browerville, “Talk of the Tigers” tournament on February 14, making this Valentine’s Day particularly sweet for first year head coach, Reese Hanson.

In fact, coach Hanson actually had to make a basket from the free throw line to bring home the trophy, as the Hornets had finished in a tie with the Brainerd Warriors, and Hanson and the Warriors coach decided the tiebreaker with whoever made the first free throw. 

“And let me tell you, I am no basketball player and apparently neither is the Brainerd coach,” said Hanson.

The Frazee team hopes to qualify a number of competitors for the National Speech & Debate Association national tournament held in Richmond, Va. at this past weekend’s qualifying tournament in Willmar, March 27-28. 

In addition, senior Joseph Bachleitner and freshman Selene Tieden are exceptionally close to qualifying for the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions held this year in Shakopee, Minn. from May 8-10. 

The Hornets will close their regular season with subsections at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton on Monday, March 30, with the goal of having every team member advance to the Section 8A Speech tournament on April 14.