This year, the annual Speech Showcase event spanned across an entire week at THIS and was held from the 25th to the 29th of March. As always, it was the result of a combined effort from the English Language Arts Department, keen to showcase the diverse talents of THIS’s high school and middle school. Students from across 5 grades were invited to exhibit their prowess in public speaking and self-expression, as well as many other skills such as debate and performance. Through a series of colorful activities, Speech Showcase week was able to demonstrate the spirit of cooperation and collaboration in learning among THIS students.
The activities started very early in the week of Speech Showcase. Student orators could be seen standing tall on desks and tables during breaks and lunch in the hallways of every floor, delivering soapbox speeches which greatly contributed to the anticipation for the activities of the rest of the week. The short speeches ranged from Shakespearean recitations to political banter. Their lively and passionate deliveries were often received with great applause from the audience, kicking off a festive start for students, all keen to show off the hard work that had been done in preparation.
The first half of the school-wide showcase was on Wednesday morning, the 27th of March, where all teachers and students of THIS Secondary School participated in both attendance and performance in B106. Grade level productions spanning over the one hour of assembly included heartwarming skits, dynamic videos, and riveting speeches, both entertaining to watch and informative to learn from.
At noon on March 29, an interesting book fair appeared on the THIS playground. The book fair on the THIS quad covered 3 large tables and hosted hundreds of familiar titles, while clubs and students from each secondary grade level held booths which sold everything from pizza to candy in champagne glasses.
Beside the book fair, concurrently, students performed monologues, aptly choreographed dance routines and one-act plays on an outside stage.Teachers and students stop to watch and applauded to show their support.
Friday, however, was the main event. At 10 am 29th of March, the THIS family - inclusive of teachers, parents, administration, and students - all settled in B106 to enjoy the yearly Speech Showcase, hosted by Grace Chen from 11th grade and Jovian Liu from 9th grade. The talents of individuals and groups all had something to bring to the stage. Grade 7 put on a greatly entertaining collection of Greek mythology advertisements. Grade 8 demonstrated profound understanding of the global issue of genocide. And perhaps the most well received item of the day was from 9th grade, a Macbeth rap had everyone tapping to the rhythm. Also notable were some delightful music video adaptations of The Crucible and a mock presidential election from 11th grade, as well as Shakespearean plays and their modern adaptations from seniors. The audience laughed and sighed in unison- all enjoying the fruits of each other’s labors with pride and recognition.
Speech Showcase seamlessly reflected the diligent work that had been done in over 10 English Language Arts classes to make the week so fruitful, celebrating not only students’ academic abilities, but also their courage in taking on public performances. A big congratulations to the English Language Arts department and all students for a fabulous week at 2019 Speech Showcase!
文字 Written|Linda Gao,Kimberley Liu圖片 Pictures| Linda Gao
編輯Edited| Linda Gao
審核Audited| John Weil, James Cusack, Jeff Joyce, Toni Dong, Lan Yi,Wenping Li