December 9, 2024 - This year’s Comal Speaks champion is an eighth-grade student from Smithson Valley Middle School. The Comal Independent School District started the contest eight years ago to challenge middle school students to prepare and present speeches to judges on topics related to important character traits.
The district champion, Katie Freeman, 14, won the competition with her speech regarding perseverance. Believe it or not, public speaking makes her very uncomfortable, Freeman says, but challenging herself to do the something that makes her uncomfortable is how she perseveres.
“I have always been scared of public speaking,” says Freeman, who placed first in the district for UIL impromptu speaking last year and is involved in theater at SVMS. “I joined the theater to overcome my fear, and this is another opportunity to practice my skills. It feels great to have been named the champion.”
Freeman credits her theater teacher Kelly Menz and the campus instructional coach Alexandra Hill for supporting her.
Students are given three minutes to prepare their responses on topics that relate to the Comal Commitment character traits and three minutes to present their speeches to a panel of judges. The character traits include responsibility, respect, judgment, honesty, integrity, courtesy, confidence, teamwork, empathy and perseverance.
This year’s judges were Krista Moffatt, assistant superintendent of teaching, learning and leadership; Julie Cronkhite, executive director of school leadership and accountability; and Dr. Ben Peacock, director of secondary leadership.
Comal Speaks began as a way to continue the interest students had in the Comal Shake competition which begins in elementary schools. Many of the students who compete in Comal Speaks competed as elementary students in the Shake contest and are excited to continue to use the character traits in middle school.
Two students from each middle school advance to the final district competition. This year’s finalists include Asher Castleton and Sophia Lundeen from Bulverde Middle School; Liam Bennett and Cora Busch from Canyon Middle School; Elizabeth Winters and AnneMarie Keuer from Church Hill Middle School; Grace Miller and Benson Whitmer from Danville Middle School; Austin Brown and Matie Vargas Juarez from Mountain Valley Middle School; Murphie Akers and Delilah Marvelli from Pieper Ranch Middle School; Erianna Crandall and Tzipora Criswell from Spring Branch Middle School; and Owen Fulton and Freeman from Smithson Valley Middle School.
Congratulations!
Photo Descriptions
-Comal ISD 2024 Comal Speaks champion is Smithson Valley Middle School student Katie Freeman.
-Smithson Valley Middle School student Katie Freeman became the 2024 Comal Speaks champion December 6. Superintendent Dr. John E. Chapman presented the award to her.
-The Comal Speaks finalists are pictured here. Front row from left is Asher Castleton, AnneMarie Keuer, Liam Bennett, Owen Fulton, Delilah Marvelli and Tzipora Criswell; back row from left is Elizabeth Winters, Sophia Lundeen, Austin Brown, Mattie Vargas Juarez, Comal ISD Superintendent Dr. John E. Chapman III, Benson Whitmer, Katie Freeman, Murphie Akers, Cora Busch, Erianna Crandell and Grace Miller.
-Smithson Valley Middle School finalist Katie Freeman reacts to being named the 2024 Comal Speaks champion.