The 2025 MSHSL State Speech Meet kicked off at Shakopee High School on Friday morning, and the listening area is well represented.

31 students representing 11 area schools will compete for State championships across the 13 different speech categories: Creative Expression, Discussion, Duo, Extemporaneous Reading, Extemporaneous Speaking, Great Speeches, Humor, Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, Drama, Poetry, Prose, and Storytelling.

Students will compete in three rounds before being whittled down for the State Championship Round at 3:30 this afternoon.

The Class AA State Speech Meet will be held on Saturday.

Here are the students competing today:

Creative

Clodarl Seeman, Perham

Walker Johnson, Staples-Motley

Anabelle Wattenhofer, UNC

Reilynn Tracy, Frazee

Discussion

Brooke Sonsalla, New York Mills

Duo

Adrianna Eckel/Alexander Stormoen, Browerville

Tessa Starz/Faith Kalina, Perham

Nathan Blashack/Jorja Weishalla, Bertha-Hewitt

Extemporaneous Reading

Gavin Brown, Bertha-Hewitt

Great Speeches

Raina Mikhaeil, Staples-Motley

Asia Hillukka, UNC

Humor

Laken Hines, Staples-Motley

Samuel Asmus, Browerville

Elsie Forbes, Park Rapids

Bryce Vogt, Parkers Prairie

Informative Speaking

Drew Moser, Perham

Olivia Opheim, Staples-Motley

Original Oratory

Reese Hunt, Perham

Sofia Pulju, UNC

Drama

Jayme O’Brien, Parkers Prairie

Joseph Bachleitner, Frazee

Brynn Bestland, Staples-Motley

Teo Lecoustre, Perham

Poetry

Abigail Marsden, Park Rapids

Prose

Zoe Cox, WHA

Payton Lausten, NYM

Storytelling

Breanna Pexsa, Parkers Prairie

Isabella Brinkman, Pillager