Class AA Speech Tournament
Four DC Charger speechies earned the honor to represent our school at the Class AA speech tournament Friday, April 23, 2021, hosted virtually. Dassel-Cokato was one of the smallest schools that competed at the AA tournament. There are eight sections in AA, and D-C is proud to be from 5AA. This was an exciting evening for the speech community to have a state tournament. We were unable to have a state tournament last year due to the pandemic.
DC state participants were: Annika Soderlund, Reid Wilson, Dylan Tessmer, and Jessica Workman. They were among the top 24 speakers in their respective categories across the state in the larger school division.
Annika Soderlund, a junior, competed at the state tournament for the first time in her speech career. Soderlund competed in the category of Serious Interpretation of Drama. She performed the script “Recognition”. While on the subway a woman recognizes another as the biological mother of her adoptive daughter. It is a heart wrenching story as the biological mother is faced with questions she was never planning to be asked.
Reid Wilson, a junior, competed in the category of humor interpretation at the state tournament. This was Wilson’s first appearance at the tournament. Wilson performed “How I Got My Superpowers”. His main character is Hefty Man who loves the laws of the elementary playground. Hefty Man faces a group of bullies (who breaks the sacred laws of the playground), but realizes that rage and fighting is not the right outcome.
Dylan Tessmer, a junior, made his second appearance at the state tournament. When Tessmer was a freshman he advanced to the state tournament in the category of informative, but this year advanced in Original Oratory. Speakers in original oratory research and write their own speech in hopes to persuade their audience. Tessmer’s topic was called Breaking the Act. He highlights that our society has an expectation of performative happiness. He encourages his audience that it is ok to talk about their mental health and do not always need to act happy. Since this was Tessmer’s second trip to the state tournament, he has qualified for the All State Speech Team his senior year.
Jessica Workman, a junior, made her first state appearance in the category of serious prose. Workman performed portions of the memoir, Educated. Her character hopes for the opportunity to attend school, even though her father is against it. While in college, she learns that her father has characteristics of bi-polar. Her script shows portions of their difficult relationship along with the joy of being able to attend school.
Unfortunately, the Chargers’ scores were not high enough to advance into the championship rounds. The top three teams at the tournament were: 3rd place: Eastview, 2nd place Eagan, 1st place Moorhead. The coaches were extremely proud of all their preparations and effort going into the state tournament. This was Beth Steinleitner’s eighth year as Head Speech Coach for the Chargers assisted by Jennie Inselman and Kayla Tessmer. Steinleitner said, “It is a great achievement to have members of our team compete at the State Tournament. Go Charger Speech.”
DC state participants were: Annika Soderlund, Reid Wilson, Dylan Tessmer, and Jessica Workman. They were among the top 24 speakers in their respective categories across the state in the larger school division.
Annika Soderlund, a junior, competed at the state tournament for the first time in her speech career. Soderlund competed in the category of Serious Interpretation of Drama. She performed the script “Recognition”. While on the subway a woman recognizes another as the biological mother of her adoptive daughter. It is a heart wrenching story as the biological mother is faced with questions she was never planning to be asked.
Reid Wilson, a junior, competed in the category of humor interpretation at the state tournament. This was Wilson’s first appearance at the tournament. Wilson performed “How I Got My Superpowers”. His main character is Hefty Man who loves the laws of the elementary playground. Hefty Man faces a group of bullies (who breaks the sacred laws of the playground), but realizes that rage and fighting is not the right outcome.
Dylan Tessmer, a junior, made his second appearance at the state tournament. When Tessmer was a freshman he advanced to the state tournament in the category of informative, but this year advanced in Original Oratory. Speakers in original oratory research and write their own speech in hopes to persuade their audience. Tessmer’s topic was called Breaking the Act. He highlights that our society has an expectation of performative happiness. He encourages his audience that it is ok to talk about their mental health and do not always need to act happy. Since this was Tessmer’s second trip to the state tournament, he has qualified for the All State Speech Team his senior year.
Jessica Workman, a junior, made her first state appearance in the category of serious prose. Workman performed portions of the memoir, Educated. Her character hopes for the opportunity to attend school, even though her father is against it. While in college, she learns that her father has characteristics of bi-polar. Her script shows portions of their difficult relationship along with the joy of being able to attend school.
Unfortunately, the Chargers’ scores were not high enough to advance into the championship rounds. The top three teams at the tournament were: 3rd place: Eastview, 2nd place Eagan, 1st place Moorhead. The coaches were extremely proud of all their preparations and effort going into the state tournament. This was Beth Steinleitner’s eighth year as Head Speech Coach for the Chargers assisted by Jennie Inselman and Kayla Tessmer. Steinleitner said, “It is a great achievement to have members of our team compete at the State Tournament. Go Charger Speech.”
5AA Section Results
Section Finals (top 3 places advance to State on April 23rd):
Dassel-Cokato Team Place: 3rd
- Dylan Tessmer, 11th grade (Original Oratory): Champion!
- Annika Soderlund, 11th grade (Drama): 2nd
- Jessica Workman, 11th grade (Prose): 3rd
- Reid Wilson, 11th grade (Humorous): 3rd
- Levi Nelson, 8th grade (Humorous): 4th
- Sydney Roberts, 8th grade (Storytelling): 4th
- Elijah Wheatley, 8th grade (Discussion): 4th
- Tait Jerde, 12th grade (Great Speeches): 5th
- Anika Walkes, 10th grade (Prose): 5th
- Austyn Steinhaus, 11th grade (Drama): 6th
Dassel-Cokato Team Place: 3rd
Milaca Results
Roseville Results
DC Charger Speech Invitational Results
Finals (top 7 in prelims)
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NSDA Tournament Results
Finals
- Dylan Tessmer (Original Oratory): 6th
Shakopee Tournament Results
Maple Lake Tournament Results
AND.....Team Champion in Medium Team Division!!! |
Wright County Conference Tournament Results
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Chaska Tournament Results
Norwood Young America Tournament Results
MASQ Tournament Results
STMA Tournament Results
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Duluth Tournament Results
Westonka-Orono Tournament Results
Mounds Park Academy Tournament Results
Eligibility Night Info
- Speech Info Slideshow
- DCHS Varsity Speech Handbook
- MSHSL Rules and Policies
- New to Speech Camp Info
- Captain Application (10th-12th graders only)
- 7th & 8th Grade Speech Info
- Preseason Meeting Sign Up (Returning 9th-12th Graders)