By Molly Burken
The Central DeWitt Speech team has many great accolades, so where are they?
Whether you’re in the Atrium or the Competition Gym, you can see various school achievements on display. Some classrooms are even adorned with accolades from FFA, Theatre, The Scribbler, and other extracurriculars. If you scan the display cases, you can see an impressive array of trophies, pictures, certificates, medals, pennants, banners, and stray equipment pieces from any number of sports and the arts. But one team seems to be missing, and that’s our High School’s Speech team. Most people only know about the Speech team from their friends or the occasional atrium send-off early in the morning.
“The more that we can showcase what our school is all about and what the students here are involved in, whether it be speech or, any other activities and achievements, I think it’s so important that we show those accomplishments,” said Brianne Magill, one of the DeWitt Speech Coaches of 11 years, when asked about whether displaying Speech banners would boost interest and involvement.
Now, there are more than just banners that could celebrate the achievements of our Saber Speech members. There are options like a wooden plaque with metal plates, but the banners provide an opportunity to display our school’s achievements with some added personalization. The banners are signed by those who earned the award or were able to perform at the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) All-State events for Large Group and Individual Events. Other schools that have banners on display also have their banners signed or embroidered with the names of the students who earned the banner(s) and performed.
Coach Magill estimated that there are about 16-18 banners currently in storage. This is from having All-Staters every year since Magill started coaching here at Central DeWitt. She also mentioned that we have had both Large Group and Individual Events make it to All-State every year since she started coaching here. And All-State isn’t any small deal. It’s the highest ‘level’ in the Speech performances as the judge’s nominations choose the performers, and only a few are chosen, and some are only chosen as alternates or non-performers. Making it is a great accomplishment, but performing, especially more than once, is a high honor.
The lack of banner displays is not from a lack of trying. Both students and coaches have talked with principals and Athletic Directors over the years, discussing how and where they could get their accomplishments displayed. There have been suggestions of hanging banners in the choir/band hallway or a digital display board to show photos of various awards.
Erik Johnson, CDHS’s Activities Director and Dean of Students has expressed an intent to get permanent signs made, with the years and performers being displayed on signs with Saber branding to make it more cohesive within the school. These signs are already in use for different sports around fields and concession stands. Some can be found on the football concession stand, displaying accomplishments by our football team and track and field athletes.
“The idea is to have a dedicated, let's say, sign, for things that aren’t already represented,” said Johnson when asked about how things might be displayed that aren’t already. Johnson also referenced several un-displayed plaques in his office during the conversation. There was also mention of signs being made to show accomplishments for our school’s band and choir as well. But, there is a catch when discussing the implementation of these signs.
“We can’t forget someone. Like we cannot forget, and I’m making this up, the 1964 All-State saxophonist, insert name. We have to have it on the sign before we make the sign. Otherwise, to go back is almost [impossible], then I have to redo the whole thing.” Mr. Johnson also mentioned that the signs are likely to be put up in the hallway that spans the side of the CDPAC. This is also a great place to put these signs as they would be near the band and choir classrooms, and could potentially encourage those who pass by and notice the various honors earned by students inside our walls.
In the end, the Saber Speech team, and others, simply want their accomplishments to be displayed, but it has yet to happen. This isn’t the fault of any one person or group. Instead, it’s a work in progress that students and staff would love to see completed. Who knows, maybe once we gather all the necessary information, we’ll be able to share all the great things, past and present, happening inside the walls of Central DeWitt High School. And we’ll truly be able to have Pride in Self, Pride in School, and Pride in Community.
Commentaires