By Liz Guttenfelder

The annual American History speeches given in Trace Petersen’s class by the freshmen begin this Friday, Feb. 3.

The speeches must be a minimum of three minutes and contain no more than 100 words to a note card.  Students are judged on their introduction, dress, voice, posture, eye contact, words per note card, and time.

Petersen’s classes have had a week and a half to prepare for the presentations.  Petersen said the kids often bring “horns (band), bats, balls, and gloves” for their props.

Petersen said the most memorable speech was given by a girl who dressed as a flapper.  “She dressed to a ‘T.’  She had a martini glass and did an awesome job,” says Petersen.

Freshman Savannah Sorensen said, “You should start early to memorize your speech and shouldn’t irritate Petersen when students are giving them.”

Freshman Taylor Berns said she learned about “this lady who was a millionaire gave her fortune to a teenage girl and died 18 days after giving her the money.”