AMERICUS — Southland Academy hosted its Lower School Speech Contest for fourth and fifth grades recently, in the Academic Center of the Deriso Building. Ten very talented finalists were in the competition. Already meeting the length and content requirements, each student presented a speech to family, friends, and three guest judges. They were scored on presentation, clarity, expression, projection, poise and posture, and interpretation. Following the contest, the finalists and their families were honored at a reception in the Charles F. Crisp Media and Technology Center.

The speech contest is just one of the avenues that allow Southland Academy to strive to challenge the best in its students to showcase their talents. Adolescent learning needs encouragement and support from parents and teachers, and Southland desires to help its students achieve their potential and help them expand their horizons. Likewise, beginning this type of academic endeavor as lower school students will help Southland’s young students evolve into integral participants in our upper school literary teams as well as help them develop a life-long skill.

The winner of the 2019 Southland Academy Speech Contest with “Things I Just Don’t Understand” is fourth grader Noah Mixon. He is the son of John and Ashley Mixon. The second place winner is fourth grader Savannah Grace Ewing. She presented “Uncle Versie’s Trial” by Jerry Clower, and she is the daughter of Beau and Kerri Ewing. The third place winner is Grayson Avant with his speech, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul.” He is the son of Steven and Brittney Avant.

Receiving Honorable Mention Awards were: Laura Cate Harris, Asa Baldwin, Reeves Young, Cade Futch, Brooks Potter, Milly Simmons, and Mary Adelaide Yeiser.