Tech High School Speech Team Continuing Tradition of Success [VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD - The St. Cloud Tech Speech team has a longstanding history of success.

The team is continuing that success, recently taking first in the Central Lakes Conference Championship and the Minnesota State High School League 8AA South Subsection competition.

Members say there’s never a dull moment for the group during practices and competitions. Thomas Kaczor participates in the original oratory category on the team and says things are always fun and a tad bit strange with the different personalities in the group.

"When you're up at four in the morning on a bus together-it gets a little....you know, weird."

Each member prepares for hours after school brainstorming and practicing their different speeches and categories. Matt Odette is a humorous interpretation speaker and says the competition can also be intimidating.

"You're sitting in a room with three to five people-they just stare at you," Odette says, "They don't always want to laugh and that can be a challenge to adjust to."

Speech categories range from serious to humorous topics. Some members may even have to play multiple characters in one speech. The technique is called "snapping", when speakers go from one personality to another instantly during a speech.

Tech Speech has had members participate in state and national competitions for years and looks to continue it’s long run of success.

"Tech is a very highly acclaimed program and it's fun to be a part of a program that's done so well in the past and know I'm doing something I love," Kaczor says.