The Paducah Tilghman Speech Team finished sixth in a statewide Kentucky High School Speech Tournament. This tournament took place on Saturday, Jan. 22. This finish was outstanding as Tilghman had only four entries in a meet that featured more than 230 entries from high schoolers around the state. Tilghman placed behind Murray High, followed in order respectively by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Henry Clay, Rowan County and Bowling Green.

Senior Lois Akpabio led the Tilghman team with her first-place finish in prose. Along with Akpabio’s first-place finish, the other three competing members each contributed runner up finishes in their respective categories. Junior Jensen Knudsen placed second in humorous interpretations, senior Paige Kight finished second in program oral interpretation, and junior Kate Bidwell placed second in prose, just behind Akpabio.

The Speech Team also competed this past weekend at the Bardstown Tiger Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 29. The team finished fourth overall out of a total of 19 competing teams. Junior Jensen Knudsen placed first in humorous interpretation, junior Kate Bidwell placed first in prose, sophomore Fiona Caywood placed second in poetry, and senior Paige Kight placed fourth in program oral interpretation. Knudsen, Bidwell and Caywood all qualified to compete in the Tournament of Champions which will take place this April.

Junior Kate Bidwell has really enjoyed this speech season because of the new opportunities it has brought for her. “I have loved getting to try a new category this year. Last year I did duo improv and duo interpretation and now I am in prose,” she said. Along with this, she has enjoyed getting to work with the coaches to grow, saying, “I love working with my coaches to practice and improve my speech.”

Next up for the Paducah Tilghman Speech Team is the regional tournament. This tournament will take place this Saturday, Feb. 5. Good luck to all the Paducah Tilghman Speech Team members who will be competing this weekend at regionals!