Three standout Pensacola State College Charter Academy High School students – Isaac Tindol, Victoria Raymond-Currier and McKenna Harrell – advanced to the Optimist International Club Level oratorical speech competition held Saturday, April 12, at the Gulf Breeze Rec Center.
“My students performed very well in the competition this weekend. Their speech skills were on point, and I was surprised that at least one of them didn’t move on,” said English teacher Katrina Maurer. “We learned a lot going through the process, and in the future, we will better know how to plan our competition. A lot has changed in the speech world in the 30 years since I was in high school.”
The journey began on March 8, when 13 Charter Academy speech students participated in the local round of competition hosted by the Gulf Breeze and North Pensacola Optimist Clubs. Tindol placed first, Raymond-Currier second, and Harrell third – earning the right to represent the school at the next level.
Maurer incorporated the competition into her Speech and Critical Thinking curricula, using it as an opportunity for students to build real-world public speaking experience.
“I had them think back to their first two-minute speech about themselves in August. Many were nervous, their voices shaking. To watch them now confidently deliver their speeches to a room of strangers was so rewarding,” Maurer reflected. “It makes my teacher heart very happy.”
To help the students prepare, Charter Academy partnered with volunteers Lesley and Craig Mateer of Ciao Seminars in Gulf Breeze. The couple, whose own children have won past Optimist oratorical contests, hosted a workshop on Feb. 14 to share insights on crafting and delivering impactful speeches.
“None of the students had competed before, and they were very anxious,” Maurer shared. “But this experience builds confidence and prepares them for future presentations in college and beyond.”
Even students who didn’t compete at the international club level gained valuable experience by presenting their speeches to faculty, staff, and classmates. Those interested in further developing their communication skills are encouraged to join the Charter Academy Speech and Debate team, coached by Student Engagement Specialist Aaleigah Knight.
With newfound confidence and communication skills, these students are not only excelling in the classroom but are also learning just how powerful their voices can be as they prepare to become strong leaders of the future.