Concordia Speech Team ramps up for Nationals with special showcase

Seward, Neb. (03/29/2018) — Eighteen nationally-ranked speakers from the Concordia University, Nebraska Speech Team will perform speeches in a showcase titled "Night Before Nationals" at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.

Attendees will watch forensics performances by students who have qualified to compete at this year's American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET), the National Forensic Association National Championship and the National Speech Championship. Only competitors of the highest caliber are allowed to participate in these tournaments, which include 18 students from Concordia.

"This is a great chance for our team to show what we do to a wider audience," explains Andrew Moffitt, director of Forensics at Concordia. "We have been blessed to have a successful season with a very young team, and we are looking forward to sharing our success with our students, staff and the public."

The showcase will take place in the Thom Leadership Education Center Auditorium on Concordia's campus and is free and open to the public.

Students participating in the showcase include (Listed by state, city, last name and event):

Nebraska

Katie Funk, Clearwater, Neb., Prose Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation

Jacob Garrison, Malcolm, Neb., Dramatic Interpretation and Duo Interpretation

Lindsay Range, Monroe, Neb., Program Oral Interpretation

Luke Blomenburg, Norfolk, Neb., After Dinner Speaking

Avery Kesar, Omaha, Neb., Duo Interpretation and Prose Interpretation

Will Helmer, Seward, Neb., Impromptu Speaking

Melody Niemoth, South Bend, Neb., Informative and Persuasive Speaking

Payton DeMers-Sahling, York, Neb., Poetry Interpretation

Nora Friberg, York, Neb., Duo Interpretation