Three students will represent the Summerland speech team at the 2021 Nebraska School Activities Association state Speech Contest, Friday, March 19, in Kearney.

Kyra Nilson, Emily Nordby and Adrienne Parker advance from the Class C2-3 district contest, held March 9, in Atkinson.

Coach Julie Harley said students qualified for district finals in three events.

Nilson and Nordby earned the gold medal in duet acting, while Parker brought home silver in persuasive speaking.

The oral interpretation of drama team of Parker, Madison Melcher and Adrienne Parker ended in sixth place.

The Bobcats tied for sixth in team standings with Lutheran High Northeast, scoring 48 points.

West Holt claimed the championship, scoring 196 points. Plainview took home the runner-up trophy, with 172 points.

Creighton finished third; Boyd County, fourth; Elkhorn Valley, fifth and Burwell, eighth.

Harley said coaches and qualifiers look forward to state competition.

Last year, a state contest was not held, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Harley said "Last year was disheartening, for we waited for weeks not knowing whether or not we would be able to eventually compete in those tournaments."

The Nebraska Speech Communication and Theater Association and National Individual Events Tournament of Champions partnered with NSAA to make the season work.

Friday's Class C2 meet will take place at Horizon Middle School.

"The biggest change for this year, besides the location, is the attendance of spectators," Harley said.

Each qualifier and coach will be permitted two spectators. Wristbnds will be distributed by the NSAA.

Prior to this season, the state contest has been held at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

The Class A meet will be a virtual event, scheduled for Saturday.

Faith King

Thought-provoking • Adrienne Parker will compete in persuasive speaking at the 2021 Nebraska School Activities Association State Speech Championships, Friday, in Kearney. Parker earned a silver medal in district competition to advance to the state meet.

According to Harley, the vast majority of Class A schools voted to go this route.

The remainder of classes voted to compete in person.

Classes B and C1 will compete at Kearney High School, Thursday.

Classes D1 and D2 will compete at Kearney High, Friday.

The first round on Friday will begin at 8 a.m., with Flight B events scheduled to begin at 9:45.

Second-round flights are scheduled to begin at 11:30 and 1:15.

Persuasive speaking and duet acting finals are slated to begin at 3:30.

The awards ceremony will follow the conclusion of the final round.