CJI claims Class C speech championship at Northern BC divisional meet

by Rhonda Petersen

CJI Speech Coach

The Chester Joplin-Inverness High School Hawks speech team competed Saturday at the Northern BC speech and drama divisional tournament.

CJI served as the virtual host for the divisional tournament, which saw teams from seven Class C schools and six Class B schools compete to qualify for the State BC speech and drama tournament hosted by Huntley Project. 

The Hawks were once again led by senior Emma Wickum, who claimed her second consecutive divisional championship in extemporaneous speaking. Wickum has qualified for state each of the last four years.

Senior Cain Cole finished second in memorized public address. Cole lost a heartbreaking three-way tiebreaker for first place in his event. He will compete at the state tournament for the second time after qualifying for state last year in dramatic interpretatiom of literature.

Junior Azeria McIntosh lost a three-way tiebreaker to qualify for the last spot in Spontaneous Interp finals. McIntosh finished in ninth place overall.

Freshman Martin Fulbright finished second in informative speaking which earned him the right to compete at the state tournament.

As a team, the Hawks had their best finish of the season, winning first place in Class C Speech with 31 points.

North Star finished second in Class C speech with 25 points and Power was third with 15 points.

In Class C Drama, Simms was first, Hays/Lodge Pole second, and North Star third.

In Class B speech, Great Falls Central was first, Choteau second and Shelby third.

In Class B drama, Choteau claimed the championship, followed by Malta and Cut Bank.  

Two Havre High School Class of 1994 alumni were honored with coach of the year honors. CJI Coach Rhonda Petersen was named Northern BC Class C Speech Coach of the Year, while Great Falls Central Coach Jason Holden was named Northern BC Class B Speech Coach of the Year. Petersen and Holden competed together on the Havre High School Speech team.

The Hawks conclude their season this weekend at the state BC tournament.