Seward High Student Wins VFW “Voice of Democracy” Speech Contest and Advances to State!
by Craig Williams
May 11, 2009
Andrew Sorsen, SHS Junior won the local Seward VFW Voice of Democracy Speech contest and advanced to the District VFW Speech contest. He placed second at that speech contest and qualified for the state contest. First runner-up for the local contest was SHS Junior, Stephanie Rippstein and second runner-up was Nathan Broeker. All three winners advanced to the district level, where Sorsen advanced now to the VFW State Speech finals. Other students honored as “Outstanding Non-Finalist” speakers included Grace Smetter-“Outstanding Sophomore Speaker,” Michelle Ness-“Outstanding Junior Speaker” and Jenna Hoins-“Outstanding Senior Speaker!” The Seward VFW and Auxillary Post #4755 sponsors the local contest and presented the cash and awards at the annual SHS Honors Night May 5, 2009 at the new Seward Theater by VFW Commander Dan Kovar.
Seward High School students had 31 students participating in the VFW Voice of Democracy Speech Contest included Nathan Broeker, Evan Canning, Ryan Coufal, Sydney DeBoer, Sarah Garbers, Andrew Gremel, Jenna Hoins, Alex Koehler, Robert Kolterman, Megan Lee, Josh McKey, Michelle Ness, Stephanie Rippstein, Andrew Sorsen, Kenny Stratton, Kaitlin Wright, Eric Heinicke, Eric Heidemann, Riley Miller, Collin Post, Alexander Scheiber, Alex Shriver, Grace Smetter, Bryce Van Velson, Brittany Decker, Abigail Groth, Savannah Large, Derek Miles, Jacob Morely, Kassidy Rixstine and Elizabeth Steele.
Local judges for the contest included Jill Johnson, English educator from Milford High School and Dr. Jerry Pfabe and Dr. Larry Grothaus of Seward Concordia University. Local VFW contest chairman is VFW Member Ron Lamberty. Clark Kolterman is the SHS Speech teacher and coach.
