Congratulations to the SMOS Speech Team members who qualified for the final Bellarmine Speech League tournament! It was an honor for them to attend, and they performed with excellence on April 25, 2026!
Contestants in the final tournament were evaluated by 4 independent judges and received a score out of 15 points from each. Judges had the opportunity to rank and award extra points to contestants to whom they awarded a perfect score. Based on point totals, the performers were awarded one of the following:
- White Ribbon: 43 – 30 points
- Red Ribbon: 53 – 44 points
- Blue Ribbon: 59 – 54 points
- Gold Ribbon: 60 points or higher
- Trophy: awarded to the top 20% point earners in each category.
Congratulations to all of our team members on the excellent performances!
Duet
- Ellie Adams and Rowan Mork – Trophy
- Lizzie Bauer and Mari Ohs – Trophy
- Frances Faul and Addie Rolwes – Trophy
- Elliot Mork and Jonah Neuschafer – Trophy
Serious
- Madeleine English – Blue
- Lucy Garcia – Trophy
- Evelyn Schoemehl – Trophy
- Ava Whealon – Red
Humorous
- Ryan Ohs – Trophy
- Louisa Russell – Blue
- Nora Esker – Trophy
Gratitude
Thank you so much to Emily Adams, Ron Knapp, Ryan Ohs, Kelly Simon, and Lisa Whealon for serving as judges, team supervisors, and timekeepers at the final meet! Thank you also to April Trees and Mary Ellen Bertram for serving as representatives from St. Margaret of Scotland on the Bellarmine Board this year and at the final meet! Your organization, attention to detail, and cordiality were assets at the meet.
Thank you to Emily Adams, Mary Ellen Bertram, Gyia Defenbaugh (SMOS alumnus), Joan Kauling, Audrey McGarry (SMOS alumnus) James Rocca, Ella Torrez (SMOS alumnus) and Gabriella Wimbley (SMOS alumnus) for helping the students prepare for the meet at practices. Your help was instrumental in the success of our team.
Thank you to Principal Patrick Holley and Vice Principal Grace Villmer for supporting our team’s participation in the Bellarmine Speech League. Having the largest team in the Archdiocese is an honor that your encouragement and support has been very meaningful. Thank you.
Melissa Ordway and Chris Stevens, thank you very much for supporting our team’s fundraising and administrative needs. We are truly grateful for your work to support our team and SMOS.
We also offer thanks to the middle school teachers for allowing us to use your classrooms for practice, listening to speeches, and giving our team some extra words of encouragement at the end of a long day. We are truly blessed by all of you.
We are especially thankful to Joe McManemy and all of the SMOS custodial staff for working with us/around us at practices. We recognize that our practices end around the time you begin your work in Purcell Hall. Thank you so much for your patience with all of us, as well as your prayers for our team.
