Catawba County Schools

NEWTON, May 2, 2023 – Ten elementary school students from across the district gathered on Tuesday evening, May 2nd, to demonstrate their oration skills in the Catawba County Schools District Speech Contest. Students were selected to compete through school-level competitions held last month. The students prepared and delivered a three to five-minute speech on this year’s topic, “Why Kindness Matters.” Students treated the packed house to ten well-prepared and eloquently delivered speeches where they extolled the benefits of kindness, using their words to paint visual imagery of kind acts and challenging the audience to “be kind.” After hearing all ten speeches and much deliberation by the judges, Salem S. from Balls Creek Elementary was declared this year’s winner. 

Jude N. from Snow Creek Elementary was awarded 2nd place, and Ashlyn H. from Oxford Elementary took 3rd. 

The CCS AIG Department sponsored the district competition, which was organized by Mia Johnson and the Curriculum and Instruction Department. 

Complete list of participants:

Salem S., Balls Creek Elementary School

Jayden L., Clyde Campbell Elementary School

Meadow T., Maiden Elementary School

Matthew S., Mountain View Elementary School

Ashlyn H., Oxford Elementary School

Jude N., Snow Creek Elementary School

Eva B., Startown Elementary School

Kayli L., Tuttle Elementary School

Piper P., Webb A. Murray Elementary School