Watch the state-qualifying performances of Quinhagak 10th-grader Chelsea Pleasant performing a dramatic monologue and Napaskiak 11th-grader Jakob Sipary delivering his original speech on climate change.
Pleasant won first place in English-language Dramatic Interpretation for portraying a homeless girl who recently went to jail for stealing. She performed the monologue “Mess Things Up” by D.M. Larson.
https://vimeo.com/247361667">Chelsea Pleasant, 10th Grade, Quinhagak. Lower Kuskokwim School District Speech Contest December 13, 2017 from https://vimeo.com/user8217674","_id":"0000017b-5a75-db1f-affb-5f7f934d0001","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://vimeo.com/user8217674">KYUK on Vimeo.
Pleasant says that she was drawn to the piece because she could identify with the character.
“I wanted to do this topic because I can feel her pain," Pleasant said, "and I wanted to try and act out for her.”
Eleventh-grader Jakob Sipary of Napaskiak won first for his expository speech on climate change in rural Alaska.
https://vimeo.com/247364077">Jacob Sipary, 11th Grade, Napaskiak. Lower Kuskokwim School District Speech Contest December 13, 2017 from https://vimeo.com/user8217674","_id":"0000017b-5a75-db1f-affb-5f7f934d0001","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://vimeo.com/user8217674">KYUK on Vimeo.
Sipary began his original, state-qualifying piece with these statements:
“Imagine living in a village whose land is crumbling away, inch by inch, from permafrost melting under your feet," Sipary said. "Not only would you lose your land, you’d also be losing your culture, precious memories, as well as future opportunities for your loved ones.”
Both Sipary and Pleasant will compete at the English-language State Speech Competition in February along with the other LKSD students who placed first and second in each category of the district contest. A State Yup'ik-language speech contest has not been confirmed. Videos of the performances were recorded by Patrick Williams, head of LKSD Media Ready Academy and District Communications.
The LKSD High School Speech Contest was held in Bethel from December 12 to 13, 2017. Twenty-eight students from 10 schools competed: Bethel Regional High School, Chefornak. Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Napaskiak, Nightmute, Quinhagak, Toksook Bay, Tuntutuliak, and Tununak.
Yupik Dramatic
1. Shayna Evan - Kongiganak
2. Amanda Kanrilak - Tununak
3. Samantha Link - Tununak
English Dramatic
1. Chelsea Pleasant - Quinhagak
2. Samantha Link - Tununak
3. Gloria Tom - BRHS/Newtok
4. Martha Kasaiuli - BRHS/Newtok
5. Charitina Williams - Napaskiak
Yupik Humorous
1. Regina Lupie - Tuntutuliak
English Humorous
1. Iris Paul - Kipnuk
2. Elsa Tinker - Kongiganak
3. Trinsten Dock - Kipnuk
4. Charlee Friday - Toksook Bay
5. Adriana Chimiugak - Toksook Bay
Yupik Original Oration No Participants
English Original Oration
1. Charlee Friday - Toksook Bay
2. Tiffany Joe - Nightmute
Yupik Expository
1. Josephine Lewis - Chefornak
2. Justine Ayagalria - Tuntutuliak
3. Elena Gilila - Tuntutuliak
English Expository
1. Jakob Sipary - BRHS/Napaskiak
2. Kieran Bentley - Napaskiak
3. Leanne Joseph - Tuntutuliak
4. Dana Joe - Nightmute
5. Kara Haley - Tuntutuliak
