VERY IMPORTANT!!!

It was brought to my attention this morning that there is a band concert on May 7th. Even if this only affects 3 or 4 speechers, there would still be people coming into the commons area on their way to the auditorium, and I don't want to be interrupted like that. So, after looking at literally every day from now until the end of the school year on the events calendar, I have to change our banquet date to THURSDAY, MAY 24TH FROM 5-7 PM. Please make this change and put it on your calendar. This is almost the end of the year, but it's all we can do. Sorry for any problems this may cause. Hope to see you all there!!!

State and Banquet

1. State!
I encourage you all to drive the long trek (note the sarcasm) to South St. Paul to watch your teammates (not to mention the best in the state) compete this weekend. Round One is at 8:30. If you ARE going, carpool! And make sure you ask underclassmen who may not have the ability to drive if they want to come with you!!! It should be a great day.
2. Banquet Info
The banquet will be Monday, May 7th from 6-8 PM in the commons. More details will follow, but put it on your calendar now. The date and place won't change.

Go Cougars! (Especially Abbie, Adam, and Mick!!!)

From your captains...

Hey Speechers! It's the end of the season and that means it's time to have a party! Thanks to Julie Schmidt's hospitable parents, we will be doing just that after the State tournament this weekend. Here are the details so you can clear your schedules (which you will obviously want to do):

Saturday, April 21
6:00 P.M.-11:00 P.M.
20612 Jupiter Path, Lakeville

We are asking that everyone who comes brings something to eat/drink be it chips, cookies, pop, or some other creative concoction. If you have any questions hit me up via email [ mailto:acgudmundson@gmail.com ]acgudmundson@gmail.com or talk to me or Dan at school. Be sure to stop by and show your speech love--what a great season!

Also, we hope to thank our coaches at the end of year banquet (details coming later) with gifts from the team. We would really appreciate it if each team member could contribute by giving five dollars. Our coaches do so much for us, and this is our way of saying thanks! If you could bring the money on Saturday, that would be preferable, otherwise feel free to drop it off in Ms. Waterston's room later in the week. Thanks guys!

Thank You...A Sappy Message from Your Head Coach

What an amazing season. "Really?" you ask, "but, Ms. W., we only got one trophy all year. Last year we got six. Last year we sent three to state, and we did again this year." Yeah, that's all true, but to add to that, we also have two people going to Nationals (yay). And, as you well know, I'm not all about the winning (which may be why we don't win more often...the jury is still out on that). I'm about the experience. And this season was the best. I was pretty depressed earlier this season when so many people quit. We went from 65 to 37 in the course of the three months. I will never know the "real" reasons so many people quit, but I don't really want to know, I guess. Because the 37 of you we ended up with are fantastic. So many of you impressed me in so many ways this year. Your hard work, devotion, and willingness to go out of your way for others (including me at times) is inspiring.

We have six seniors on the team this year, two who just started this year. Last year was easy, because no one was leaving for good. Even the people who left the team were still "around". But now you are going off to college or other endeavors. You will be strongly missed. To counteract that, we have an AMAZING group of novices this year who show a ridiculous amount of promise. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in your years to come.

The season is not over for six of you (yes, you alternates should come to state, because you never know when something could happen and you want to be there just in case). I expect to see you practicing this week. Send me an email to set up a time. And, Abbie G. and Mike, you've got 2 months to prep for the big show. Your successes inspire us all.

So, to wrap this up, I say THANK YOU. Each of you has brought something to my life this season (even if it was frustration :-)). To those of you graduating, keep in touch. To those of you I still get next year, check the web site from time to time over the offseason; you never know when I'll have something to say.

(Information regarding our end of the year banquet will be posted within the next two weeks. Stay tuned.)

AND...

FOOD!

We will be having lunch (the tourney doesn't start until 3...we are leaving early to eat lunch together) at a restaurant in Northfield. I have narrowed it down to four. The one with the most votes by WEDNESDAY morning, via email only, is where we will go.

Applebee's
China Buffet
Godfather's Pizza
Perkins

BRING MONEY!!!! You will need to buy your own lunch! If you don't want to, eat at school and just come sit with us.

SECTIONS STUFF!!!!

1. We will meet immediately after 4th hour outside the front doors (12:20). You can either wear your suit to school or change over your lunch period (NOT at 12:20). If you choose to change, you can leave your suit in my room. I have C lunch.
2. I need titles/authors from the following people ASAP:
John Hilsen
Mick Doyle (and that other GS stuff listed in the last post)
Hope Sabroski
Claire Wardrop
Alex Kalina
3. I need SCRIPTS from the following people (can be turned in as late as when you get on the bus, but if you don't have it, I WILL SEND YOU TO 5TH HOUR!!!)
John Hilsen
Adam Kunkel
Mick Doyle
Jake Verduzco
Matt Nelson
Dan Bungert
Lizzie Scwegman
Hope Sabroski
Claire Wardrop
Kayla Anderson
Kelly Cole
Alex Kalina

LET ME KNOW ASAP IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!!!I'm SO excited!!!!!!!! South St. Paul or Bust! (that's where State is being held this year...)

Coaching with Ms. Berg

This week is a doozie folks so here is how we are going to do it.

I want to see all of my students at 2:30 outside Ms. Waterston's classroom. From there we will set up coaching times for the afternoon and strategize. I will see all of you tomorrow and there better not be any rust showing. This is the only time I can see you before Sections. We will work from 2:30 until 7:00 to fit everyone in.

IMPORTANT SECTIONS INFO: EVERYONE READ!!!!

Below I have copied the information from the registration regarding your scripts. If you do not have a script with you the day of sections, you will be disqualified. It needs to be an updated, clean script (not mounted on black paper with notes or anything). Make sure your name and school are on it as well.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SECTIONS AS A COMPETITOR, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU WILL BE JOINING US AS A SPECTATOR. I NEED TO EXCUSE YOU FROM SCHOOL BEFOREHAND.

Paperwork:
I will need the following from each of you (MEANING ME, THE COACH), per MSHSL rules, on the day of the contest:
1. 2006-2007 Community Standard Speech Selection Certification Form (THIS, I TAKE CARE OF).
2. Titles, authors and ISBN (where appropriate) of all selections(EMAIL THIS TO ME AND I WILL MAKE ONE BIG LIST. IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOUR COACH WILL. JUST ASK.).
3. Copies of scripts for Original Oratory, Creative Expression, Informative, Humorous, Poetry, Prose, Drama, and Duo. For Great Speeches, I need a copy of the script, as well as the speech’s title, author, date, and site of presentation.
Please note that students who do not submit updated scripts will be disqualified.



I am in Arkansas, but have internet access. Please email me any questions you may have. I have also registered officially, so if you back out of sections from this point on, you will have to pay the drop fees. Some of you still owe me drop fees from earlier in the season. You will not letter with outstanding debt to your team.

Enjoy the rest of your break!!!!!!!!

Captains Voting

The ten people who did not come to the Roseville tournament need to either stop by my classroom or email me with their captain votes. You can vote for up to three juniors. Your choices are: Kayla Anderson, Mike Berger, Mick Doyle, Ali Harris, Erin Hunecke, Alex Kalina, and Claire Wardrop.

Coaching with Ms. Berg

I will be holding open practice for anyone who is interest on Tuesday. We have a lot of work to do before sections!

Thursday will be
2:30 Chris
3:00 Claire
3:30 Mick
4:00 Sarah

Darn.

It's getting the better of me. I am not back at school today like anticipated. I am supposed to coach with Jake at 2:30, Abbie B. at 3, and Emily at 3:30. I have asked Suzanne to hear the three of you speak instead, if she has time. So, if you read this before then, please still go to practice. I am super bummed. And I'm going to still try and come again tomorrow.

Roseville Update

Okay, so I guess when I'm stuck in bed, I think of about a thousand things to post on this site. This is just to let you know that we are now a small school at Roseville, because a few people have decided not to come (and on time!). So, we now have only 34 entries, which is the biggest small school we can be, but oh well.

See you Saturday!

Captains 2008

Crazy, I know. I'm not pushing Abbie and Dan out the door or anything, but as this weekend is our last invitational, I'd like to vote for next year's captains on the bus. (You won't know the results until the banquet, however; I'm mean like that). So, all juniors currently on the team are eligible. There are only 8 of you (you know who you are). If you do NOT want to be considered for captain (but, I think you all should), let me know and I will not put your name on the ballot. When voting on Saturday (due to begging, I will let seniors vote, too), consider responsibility, commitment to team, organization, and all-over speech enthusiasm. With the tournament taking up some good time this year for our two captains, I may choose to have three next year. We'll see how it all plays out after voting.

Anyway, juniors, if I don't hear from you, I'm putting your name on the ballot. Those of you NOT going to Roseville, you can vote via email or by stopping by my room next week. Thanks.

Coaching with Ms. Berg

I will be in for open practice tomorrow (Tuesday) from 2:30 to 5:00.

I need to see the following people on Thursday,
2:30 Chris
3:00 Claire
3:30 Mick
4:00 Shawn

Waterston Practice Schedule

I will still be out of commission on Mon, Tue, and Wed. So, Adam and John, work together. Discussants, research on your own.

Thursday
2:30-Jake
3:00-5:00- Open practice; sign up or show up

Friday
2:30-Storytellers draw
2:30- open for someone to speak
3:00-4:00- Storytellers speak
4:00-5:00- Open practice; sign up or show up

You can "sign up" by sending me an email. I'm bored here in bed, so I want you all to email me to tell me about Centennial. Or Sadies. Or whatever. Did I mention I'm bored?

SECTIONS ROSTER

I have spoken with the other coaches, and we have selected the section team. Sections are Thursday, April 12th. You will miss 5th and 6th periods from school. We will leave at 12:20, go to lunch together, and then be in Northfield at 2:30. As per your contracts from earlier this year, you are all available to attend sections. We are only allowed to bring 3 per category, however, and used the criteria listed in your speech team handbook to make the selections for categories that have more than 3 regular competitors. To refresh, the criteria:

∑ Positive attitude (a belief that you can and want to do well)
∑ Willingness to prepare (a commitment in both time and in favorably reacting to coaching)
∑ Demonstration of skill (both throughout the season and at practice)
∑ Demonstration of professionalism (you help build LSHS’s positive image)
∑ On-task, non-distracting practice habits (how well time is used)

If you question the decision made, please come directly to me (Ms. W.) and I will tell you why you weren’t selected. HOWEVER, even if you were not selected to compete on the section team, we still want you with us that day. We sent three people to state last year, and we hope to send more this year. We need you there cheering everyone on. Remember, we are a TEAM, despite our individual efforts. So, for those of you not selected in your category, I give you two options: 1) just come to watch; or 2) compete in a fun, new category just for the heck of it that day. There are spots available in Creative Ex, Drama, Duo, Extemp. Reading, Great Speeches, and Informative. Of those, Drama, Duo, and ER would be the easiest, as they do not actually require the writing of a speech. Let me know if you want to try something new or if you just want to come watch. I’d be sad if you chose not to come at all.

I sincerely hope that you will join us on the 12th, even if you are not on the list below. Again, if you have questions regarding decisions, please talk with me.

Sections Roster
2007

1. CREATIVE
John Hilsen
Adam Kunkel
**Open**

2. DISCUSSION
Michelle Bradley
Ryan Longley
Joe Shim

3. DRAMA
Chris McNeil
Shawn Nelson
**Open**

4. DUO
**Open**
**Open**
**Open**

5. EXTEMP. READING
Starla Rajavuori
Mikaela Schwartz
**Open**

6. EXTEMP. SPEAKING
Mike Berger
Abbie Gudmundson
Christian Keil

7. GREAT SPEECHES
Mick Doyle
Sarah Rosenthal
**Open**

8. HUMOROUS
Emily Schwegman
Roslyn Udairam
Jake Verduzco

9. INFORMATIVE
Matt Nelson
**Open**
**Open**

10. ORATORY
Abbie Barrett
Dan Bungert
Lizzie Schwegman

11. POETRY
Erin Hunecke
Hope Sabroski
Claire Wardrop

12. PROSE
Kayla Anderson
Kelly Cole
Alex Kalina

13. STORYTELLING
Lauren Geier
Ali Harris
Zach Panzer

Roseville Roster and Info

The roster for our final invitational at Roseville on Saturday, March 24th is posted below. As usual, let me know RIGHT AWAY if you are on here and shouldn't be or vice versa. We will leave for Roseville from the upper doors at 7:00 AM. Roseville has regular and honors finals. Small school entries stop at 35, we have 37, so we will be large :-) It's a huge tournament, but will be fun.


1. Anderson, Kayla (double)
2. Barrett, Abbie
3. Berger, Michael
4. Bradley, Michelle
5. Bungert, Dan
6. Cole, Kelly
7. Doyle, Michael
8. Dumonceaux, Danielle
9. Geier, Lauren
10. Gudmundson, Abbie
11. Harris, Ali
12. Hunecke, Erin
13. Jensen, JoVanna
14. Julik, Joe
15. Kalina, Alex
16. Keil, Christian
17. Kunkel, Adam
18. Longley, Ryan
19. McNeil, Chris
20. Nelson, Matt
21. Nelson, Shawn
22. Nylund, Kati
23. Rajavuori, Starla
24. Sabroski, Hope
25. Schmidt, Julie
26. Schwartz, Mikaela
27. Schwegman, Elizabeth (double)
28. Schwegman, Emily
29. Shim, Joe
30. Skluzacek, Simon
31. Sweere, Melissa
32. Udairam, Roslyn
33. Verduzcon, Jake
34. Wardrop, Claire (double)

Notes from Recovery

1. My tonsillectomy went well. I am doing fine, and can't wait to take you all to our final invitational at Roseville on the 24th.

2. I will be posting the Roseville roster on the web site soon.

3. I will also be posting the Section roster soon. Please see me (after the 22nd) with questions. You can email me as well. Don't call, as I currently can't talk (and yes, it's killing me :-)).

4. Some of you know that I promised anyone making it to Nationals that I would take them to a Twins' game to celebrate. You all know that I now have to make good on that promise (Hooray for Abbie and Mike!). I think it would be most fun to plan an entire team outting for this particular celebration (with Abbie and Mike's tix on me). We will still have a team banquet with parents and all, but this would just be a day of fun, nothing speech related except us having fun together. Mr. Douglas says that for safety's sake, it should be an official field trip, and I agree. But there's no way I'm taking you out of school for a ballgame (I do have my limits :-)). But, Sunday, May 6th the Red Sox are coming to town at 1:10. Currently, tickets are available. I would like to generate some buzz: $10 cheap seats or $22 Home Run porch? Just speechies or should everyone be allowed to sign up one non-speech team guest/date? You will be responsible for all costs, and I will have further details on a bus after I talk with Mr. Douglas. If we go cheap seats and at least 30 people come, it probably won't be more than $15 per person. Home Run porch will be more like $27. People will need to commit with money before I buy the tickets, so start thinking about it. If this date doesn't work for many, May 27th is also a Sunday matinee game, but it's just the Blue Jays, not nearly as cool.

5. Good luck to everyone competing tomorrow at Centennial. Someone text me or email me with the results.

Random changes in Ms. Berg's schedule

Because some people needed to be moved around, here is a amended schedule.

2:30 Erin
3:00 Claire
3:30 Mick
4:00 Matt
4:30 Sarah? (If someone wants to fight Sarah for this time, let us both know. I can fit more then one person in.)

Sorry for the last min. changes. If anyone on the team checks this during the day, let your teammates know that Suzanne would like to see them this afternoon.

Party THIS Friday

Greetings,
The Rosenthals will host a Team get-together on Friday night, March 16th
from 6:00 to 9:00. All are welcome!!!! Team social bonding! Yay!

Theme/Stuff to do: St Patty's day! (Wear something
green) We will have movies to play, a bonfire in the woods with SMORES
and music playing loud enough to irritate all parents. Any other ideas
from Team Members are welcome!!

Food: Parent volunteers will bring dinner and kids can bring a
dessert for everyone if they wish. The Rosenthals will make chili and
pizza.

Location: Our house is in a rural area west of Chart House and
Judicial Rd. 9895 lower 167th st. east. I will send a map to school
with Sarah and one by Email (scan). Or call for directions!

Thanks, Jeff & Ronda & Sarah
952-435-0621
612-327-8579
RJJL9895@frontiernet.net