Speech Team The Hereford High School speech
team actively
participates in speech competition at numerous tournaments throughout
the year. They compete in
TFA,
NFL, and
UIL events. The
team has won many sweepstakes awards and has sent students to state
and national tournaments. Students compete in a variety of
events at tournaments year round. It takes a great deal of time,
effort, and talent to be successful in speech.
The Coach Jennifer Zinn has taught at Hereford the last
two years, and has been involved in education for the past 13 years.
She taught at Valleyview Junior High from 1994-1999 where she had an
active junior high team that participated in speech tournaments.
From 1999-2005 she worked for Jostens yearbooks traveling to area
schools servicing them in the creation of their yearbooks. In
2005 she came back to teaching at Hereford High School and is the
speech and debate coach for the Hereford speech team.
Why join the Orators? There are many reasons why participating in
speech competition is beneficial for students. Aside from the
fact that it is fun, it builds lifetime skills that students will
use. You can ask any member of the team what speech
participation has done for them and they will all say that it has
helped their speaking skills and given them confidence. Being
a member of the NFL
is impressive to most colleges and employers. The National
Forensic League is a National speech honor society that also has had
some very prestigious members like Oprah Winfrey, Ted Turner, Adam
Sandler and Shelly Long. Students that participate in speech
competition tend to have higher TAKS scores and overall grades.
If you are interested in participating in Orators it is recommended
that you take either Oral Interp or Debate. You can contact
Jennifer Zinn for more information.
News
Mitchell Harris and Sonia Melendez qualified for Nationals!
Oletta Jackson qualified for state in Informative extemp!
Mitchell Harris placed 3rd at the State Bus Safety Speech
contest and received a $250 savings bond.
The speech team won the UIL speech champion award at
UIL district. We took 11 of the 15 spots to
regionals.
Mitchell Harris placed 5th in prose at TFA State!
Hereford received the award for the most qualifications from
Region 1!
Matthew Gonzales, Ryne Ruckman and Mitchell Harris all placed
1st at the Bus Safety Speech competition and will be going to
state in April.
Mitchell qualified in Dramatic for TFA state.
Megan qualified for TFA state in LD debate at Lubbock Coronado.
Mitchell & Merrilee qualified for TFA state in oratory at the
Amarillo High tournament.