Last Saturday at Plymouth High School, the Speech team of 22 kids coached by english teacher Jessica Kranz won fifth place out of 16 schools. Despite knowing how hard the competition would be, they chose to go and successfully went up against them, with several kids making it to finals.

It’s not long after the first competition of their first high school year of speech when kids realize where they can improve.

“Seeing so many people perform their pieces, I saw more I could do to mine,” freshman Crystal Gomez said. “I could add much more movement and emphasis in spots I wouldn’t have considered.”

There are different parts of speech, all requiring different abilities. Discussion involves persuading and knowing the information.

“I have greatly improved my ability to persuade someone, even if what I am saying is incorrect,” sophomore Cesar Martin-Acosta said. “I am very proud to speak with a sense of confidence to where no matter what I say, people believe me”

Being good at something means that you might be taken seriously to finals. The anticipation of going into finals is the most stressful part of a meet.

“The moments where I have felt the most pressure are seconds before I enter the room for finals,” Martin-Acosta said. “Specifically when at sectionals because I knew I’d need to get a good placement to go to state, which lucky I did, and I had my team there to help me.”

Being part of the speech team often gets students out of their comfort zone. Over time, if students put in the work, they will see themselves change.

“I joined speech when I was a sophomore, and when I was a freshman I didn’t talk to anyone,” senior Jennifer Anaya-Serrano said. “Honestly, whenever I tried talking to the teachers and people, my voice and hands would get shaky because I was just so nervous. Then sophomore year, I was determined to make a change, so I forced myself to go up to Kranz.”

The talent used in speech doesn’t come easily, it might even make students more stressed because of the pressure to win. However, the feeling of victory makes the struggle worth it.

“Speech has made me extremely anxious and stressed, it led to my head hurting and my arms developing rashes, mostly in the moment,” Martin-Acosta said. “Afterwards, it’s nothing but feeling proud of being able to represent myself and my school.”