Why did you decide to join Speech in high school?

I actually joined speech as a seventh grader at Columbia Middle School. My mom, Mrs. Joyce Pasel, taught there and had been asked to judge a high school tournament by the LHS Coach, BJ Siefert. I tagged along and loved what I saw! Pasel started a CMS team and we traveled to a few tournaments, which completely lit the fire for my speech team interest. In high school, it was a given that I would join the team. I joined because it was fun, a challenge and an opportunity to be with like-minded teammates. I didn’t know then that my decision as a seventh grader would lead to my future career and help me provide so many opportunities to students along the way.

Could you describe your time in speech as a competitor? 

I Loved it! We used to have Sectionals, Regionals and State. The Top Seven from Sectionals went to Regionals, and the Top Seven from Regionals went to State. I qualified for State for four years. Now, we just have the Top Six from Sectionals qualify for States. I competed in many events: duo, impromptu, drama, poetry, prose, declamation (when it was called oratorical interpretation) and original oratory. I also competed for the Purdue Speech Team and while there, competed in prose, POI, drama, duo, poetry, and persuasive. During my junior year of college, I qualified for the National Persuasive Speaking Contest, held in San Francisco, California. Amazing adventures! Lifelong friends! Forever skills and irreplaceable memories!

Why is speech so significant?

Speech offers skills and opportunities that other school activities don’t necessarily focus on: time management, teamwork and collaboration, which other activities do, of course. Speech offers opportunities for students to become lifelong learners, presenters and communicators. It also provides them the platform to speak and truly be heard by audiences in a professional atmosphere. Early morning bus rides and late evening bus rides, performing live, in front of an audience, as an individual, and putting your fate in the hands of subjective judges is stressful, character building and intense!

 What made you want to be the head coach for Logansport? 

When I interviewed for my teaching job right out of college in May of 2003, an English 10 teaching position was available, but so was the Speech Head Coach position. My former coach, Mr. Siefert was in on my interview and he stayed on as a teacher for one year after I was hired before retiring. I think he wanted to make sure the team continued his legacy and traditions. I’d like to think we have. I continue because it made an indelible impact on my life. I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for my involvement in my middle school, high school and collegiate speech teams. It’s important that I share that opportunity with my students.

 How has speech changed your life? 

Along with everything I’ve said, speech has introduced me to some amazing students and their potential, work ethic and talents. I have made sincere and treasured friends with coaches from other schools who do the same thing we coaches at LHS do. I am able to work alongside and learn from some fantastic coaches here at LHS: Joyce Pasel (my mom), Ashley Hayes, Chris Miller and our former coaches who also made huge impacts: Michelle Dials, Jon Raderstorf, Chris McCloskey, Gregg Reed, and many other volunteers along the way.

Why would you recommend a speech to a student?