Schools
Fenn Boys Judged in Extemporaneous Speaking Skills
Funny and touching, speeches reveal poise and elocution.
So, you don't want to come to school? You'd rather stay home and play video games? How about some tips on how to write an effective excuse note to your teachers? Eighth grader Johnny Lamont can provide such advice, as he did for his teachers and peers during the Hector J. Hughes Extemporaneous Speaking Contest held on Dec. 8 at .
Johnny so impressed the judges with his three-minute unrehearsed response to a topic he was given only moments earlier, they named him the winner of the competition. The judges cited Johnny's confidence and enthusiasm as he warned against making such missteps as writing that the student "Was abducted by aliens and couldn't attend classes."
Johnny summed up his speech by exhorting excuse makers to be honest, "because our teachers love that." He said a successful excuse to a teacher might read: "I wasn't in school because I just don't like your class. I spent the day on my Xbox. I'm sorry, but not really."
Earning an honorable mention were sixth grader Willie Page and seventh grader Mike Demsher. Willie explained how one could become the "dominant military power in your elementary school," outlining how his peers could win the "fear, obedience, and admiration" of the faculty and staff. Mike spoke on how best to stay conscious in Algebra class, suggesting that students stand a pencil, point up, on their desks to prevent them from falling asleep.
Judges for the contest were Charles Denault '70, father of Michael '96 and David '04; Bob Duncan, former Fenn faculty member and assistant headmaster; and Brad
Khuen '00, who is working as a Fenn Fellow for the winter trimester. Dave Duane,
science department chair, served as emcee while dressed as a cruise ship captain, in gold and white cap and gold braid-trimmed striped blazer.
The other contestants, whom the judges praised for their bravery and poise, were: Ryan Ewing and Alex Muresianu, sixth grade; Kojo Edzie and Zahin Das, seventh grade; Alaric Krapf, Andreas Sheikh, and Cole Turissini, eighth grade; and Nick Demsher, James Jennings, Carter Reed, Will Reynolds, and Will Royal, ninth grade.
Headmaster Jerry Ward called the contest a highpoint of the Fenn year, saying that it speaks to two of the school's core values: courage and empathy. He thanked the audience for being supportive and appreciative, and for serving as the speakers' "safety net."
