Over the weekend of March 29, the Okarche High School speech team attended the southwest regional competition in Weatherford.

The team, coached by T.J. Harris, placed second in 3A sweepstakes.

It has been a long year of competitions for the team and finally it is headed to state, which will take place at Tulsa University the weekend of April 12.

The team took 12 members to the regional competition and won many placements in individual events.

Senior Zoe Palmer placed first in poetry and dramatic interpretation.

Senior Jaylan Candy- Fire placed second in original oratory.

Junior Maddie Vogt placed third in foreign extemporaneous speaking, and she and her duet partner, Zoe Palmer, placed second in dramatic duet.

Sophomores Sara Jacobs and McKenna Sadler placed first in dramatic duet.

Jacobs also placed fourth in prose and Sadler second in standard oratory.

Sophomore Garrett England placed fourth in humorous interpretation and domestic extemporaneous speaking.

Freshman Adelynn Johnson placed third in humorous interpretation.

There were many state alternates as well, meaning that if another qualifier from the region were to drop out, they would be called to action.

The alternates were: junior Maddie Vogt; sophomore Jaci Black; and freshmen Hayden Wittrock, Colin Stover, Tenley Ludwig and Adelynn Johnson. The team is now in the preparation stage for state and members are working hard to further perfect their pieces before the competition.