The PTHS Speech and Forensics Team opened their season with five members earning First Place finishes and the team taking 2nd place overall at the "Laker Invitational Speech Tournament" held Saturday, October 27 at Calloway County High School.

Winning top honors in their categories were:

John Proctor (11), Broadcasting;

Emily Hensel (11), Dramatic Interpretation;

Sarah Flarsheim (11) Impromtu Speaking;

Rachel Castillo (11), Oratory;

Rachel Smith (11), Storytelling.

Other awards were: Abby Gillespie (10) 3rd - Extemporaneous Speaking and 5th -Broadcasting; Rachel Smith 3rd-Broadcasting;

Emily Hensel and Sarah Flarsheim 3rd-Improvisational Duo; Rachel Castillo, 2nd-Prose and 4th- Extemporaneous Speaking;

Three 9th graders in their first speech contests ever made impressive showings with Jamie Hagood (9) 2nd in Humorous Interpretation; Reid Hendron (9) earned a 3rd place award- Impromptu Speaking and with Alex Owings (10) 4th- Improvisational Duo; Caitlyn Gallip (9) 5th - Prose; Oscar Bickerstaff (10) and Matthew Morris (10)- 6th Improvisational Duo; John Proctor-2nd Oratory; Caroline Miller (11)-6th -Prose; Sarah Flarsheim-3rd-Storytelling.

The speech team from Graves County High took first place and Henry County, Tennessee earned third.