Members of Niagara High School’s public-speaking team — from left, kneeling are Marley Jones, Brooke Bruemmer, Justine Geldmeyer, Annalee White, Cheyenne St. John, Elesia Sweig, Grace Payette, Zowie Loukus, Ina Holt, Anna Wakefield, Brooke Walters and Hazel Hongisto; second row are Peyton Neuens-Allred, Mallory Sanicki, Lexi Johnston, Sydney Swanson, Jaylynn Kichura, Addison Wheeler, Bella Ochs, Sophia Granquist, Lexi Champagne, Lydia Beard, Nia Kinder, Logan Westrich, Abain Patterson, Gavin Neuens and Alex Tripp; back row are Bristol Sanicki, Rachael Walker, Alyssa Hedmark, Alivia Kleikamp, Sienna LaRock, Reid Schroeder, Cameron Schiefelbein, Owen Dunkes, Dante Stachowicz, Tommy Martin, Christian Anderson, Brayden Bartels, Wyatt Dunkes, Kyle Kay, Logan Champagne, Noah Wheeler and Kaden Courts. Not shown are Parker DeCremer, Emma Kowalkowski, Layla Pringle and Emma Boverhuis.

NIAGARA, Wis. — Niagara High School’s public-speaking team has secured a spot at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association State Meet after a strong performance at the District 2E competition.

The team will compete Friday at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, continuing its tradition of excellence in speech and performance.

Founded in 1895, WISDAA is the oldest secondary-school speech organization in the nation, offering students the chance to refine their communication skills through competitive speaking.

From February through mid-April each year, roughly 3,091 students compete in 16 diverse speaking categories, ranging from original oratory to interpretative performance.

Niagara High School has built one of the largest and most active public-speaking programs in the state, with approximately 40% of the student body engaged in competitive speech. This remarkable participation rate sets Niagara apart, especially as WISDAA has reported a loss of more than 1,800 students since 2021. Despite this decline in statewide participation, Niagara’s team continues to thrive, demonstrating a strong commitment to the art of public speaking.

“Public speaking isn’t just about competition — it’s about confidence, leadership and preparing for the future,” a WISDAA representative said. “In today’s world, the ability to communicate ideas effectively is a crucial advantage, whether in college, careers, or everyday life.”

The team members, along with their advisor, Ginger Anderson, expressed their sincere appreciation to the Niagara Area Business Association for its generous financial support in offsetting the school district’s cost of securing a charter coach bus, the Golden Ks for providing treats for the team’s travel, and the School District of Niagara for its ongoing support of a program that empowers students with essential skills for success.