Eight Okarche students received state medals in seven events during the OSSAA State Speech Tournament held April 7 through 10.

This year’s tournament was “virtual” with students submitting videos of their qualifying performances.

Okarche had a strong showing from members of its junior class.

McKenzie Stewart was third in original oratory and fifth in humorous duet with her partner Kaylea Steelman.

Emily Neuenschwander was seventh in humorous interp, and the team of Kenzie Beard and Marley Hill were sixth in dramatic duet. A pair of OHS sophomores placed seventh in dramatic duet: Riley Black and Kylie Bailey.

Bailey was also fourth in standard oratory.

Another sophomore, Madison Schaefer, placed eighth in prose.

Other Okarche speech team members who advanced to state competition were as follows:

Brody Sadler, Kera Avilez, Rylie Bomhoff, Chloe Goble, Reagan Marley, and Afton Shirey.

The next competition for OHS will be the one-act play contest.

OHS’s entry, Kindertransport, a drama about a young Jewish girl who is sent to England before the outbreak of World War II, will be presented for the community on Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m.