More than 255 students, who already rose through the ranks of their schoolwide, districtwide, and regional competitions, went head-to-head Saturday in the annual Kern County Oral Language Festival at Stonecreek Jr. High School. Elementary and middle school students were tasked with presenting their interpretations of a published literary work in a three-to-five-minute piece.
Competition categories include Humorous Solo, Humorous Duo, Serious Solo, Serious Duo, and Verse Choir (groups of 3-5), with grades 4-6 and 7-8 competing separately. Participants were judged on the clarity of their speaking, interpretation of the author’s work, and impact of their delivery, among other criteria.
Students performed in Humorous Solo and Duo, Serious Solo and Duo, and Verse Choir categories.
Retired teacher Faith Haun has been coaching and judging oral language competitions for nearly 20 years. She says oral language is a great way for students to build necessary life skills such as public speaking, memorization, reading comprehension, and confidence. She said the competition was so stiff this year that her group had a hard time judging their category because of how talented everyone was.
“It was amazing; there wasn’t one child in the group that shouldn’t have been there. They were that good,” Haun said. “I could see why their district was proud of them and it took us a long, long time to decide.”
Trophies were awarded to first through third-place finishers, and all participants received a certificate for reaching the county level of competition. Congratulations to all the participants.
Results
4-6 Grades
Serious Interpretation Solo
1st — Vida Ruiz
2nd — Adhrit Saha
3rd — Brent Kyle Reyes
Humorous Interpretation Solo
1st — Chandler Brennan
2nd — Violet Bivens
3rd — Gianna Ramirez
Serious Interpretation Duo
1st — Haya Alnahhal, Sophia Angelini
2nd — Olivia Barrera, Gianna Cardenas
3rd — Maisie Mullhofer, Madelyn Mullhofer
Humorous Interpretation Duo
1st — Kynsea Rizo, Sofia Toledo
2nd — Shashank Lal, Deyaan Lakhani
3rd — Uriah Bright, Rachel Ouska
Verse Choir
1st — Lucille Chambless, Madelyn Felkins, Gianna Green
2nd — Sanay Mahajan, Sanvi Mahajan, Savyaa Vyas, Mason Park, Aayush Mathukia
3rd — Olivia Franzen, Reese Galyan, Madison Lockhart, Leah Munoz, Reid Rock, Emmalina Salaza
7-8 Grades
Serious Interpretation Solo
1st — Josie Mena
2nd — Alana Harris
3rd — Cambria Azimian
Humorous Interpretation Solo
1st — Manya Ghai
2nd — McKenna Wright
3rd — Sukhraj Bajwa
Serious Interpretation Duo
1st — Ellie Huynh, Emily Huynh
2nd — Guinn Gallemore, Josette Binns
3rd — Kennedy Hernandez, Gianna Milazzo
Humorous Interpretation Duo
1st — Ximena Camarena, Francesca Palla
2nd — Allison Carr, Cassandra Cantu
3rd — Vidia Rico-Sotelo, Coral Lopez
Verse Choir
1st — Jaylen Aviles, Matthew Chavez, Alondra Murillo Cruz, Gemma Giragosian, Olivia McConnel
2nd — Mateo Campbell, Gavin Kinsey, Max Dela Cruz, Khamie Dela Cruz
3rd — Aubree Gearhart, Brinley Watson, Lesly Young, Anneliese Kimmel
By Katie Avery
Katie Avery joined the Kern County Superintendent of Schools in 2023 as a Communications Specialist. As a former journalist and marketing professional, her passions include media and storytelling. Before joining KCSOS, Avery worked for various local TV stations as well as the health care industry.