Jake Massengill, an eighth-grade student at Model Middle School, has won the 2010 Floyd County Schools Oratorical Contest for middle school students.  The middle school competition for gifted middle school students was held on January 21 at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.  This year’s topic the students were to speak on was “Cyber Communication: Progress or Problem.”  Alex Mitchell, Coosa Middle School, placed second and Lisa Shoemaker, Model Middle School, placed third.

Students were scored on poise, the content of the speech, delivery, presentation and overall effectiveness.  The poise section was graded on appearance and personality.  The Content of the speech was scored on subject adherence, theme, content, logic and color.  Delivery and presentation was judged on voice, volume, pronunciation, gestures, eye contact, sincerity and emphasis.  Overall effectiveness included appeal, impression, attitude and effect.

The student’s speeches were required to be at least four minutes and no more than five minutes in length and no props or costumes were allowed.  Floyd County Schools Gifted Coordinator McCall Govignon said, “The contest is an opportunity for Floyd County students to showcase their academic talents.”

(Left to Right) Lisa Shoemaker, Alex Mitchell, Jake Massengill