Submitted Photo The South Prairie-Max Royals Speech team placed third at the State Class B Speech Competition in Mandan on Saturday. Back row, from left to right, Josh Lindbo, Alan Joslin, Karl Behm; middle row, Emma Marten, Natalee Becker, Madelyn Hogue, Brooke Leiss; front row, Skylar Beck, Brylee Beeter, Coach Paula Rauschenberger, Gracie Rauschenberger, Raegen Routledge.

MANDAN — The 72nd Annual NDHSAA sponsored State Class B Speech Competition was held at Mandan High School on Saturday.

Students from 64 schools around the state competed in 14 categories after qualifying at prior competitions during the season. The competition was managed by Sue Anderson and Annette Ender.

Area schools placed in the team competition, including South Prairie-Max placed third with 41 points, and Kenmare placed fifth with 32 points. Nine members of the South Prairie-Max team were honored as members of the CSTAND All-State Speech and Drama Team, including Maddie Hogue, Karl Behm, Natalee Becker, Skylar Beck, Josh Lindbo, Emma Marten, Gracie Rauschenberger, Brylee Beeter and Alan Joslin.

Minot and area students who placed individually included: Amarie Yellow Hammer of Velva and Lia Butz of Our Redeemer’s tied for sixth place and William Cook of Kenmare placed eighth in Extemporaneous Speaking; Haylee Heilman of Rugby placed sixth and Zack Volson placed eighth in Radio Broadcasting; Drew Houck of Kenmare placed first and Gregory Jensen of Bowbells placed seventh in Storytelling; Natalee Becker and Brylee Beeter of South Prairie-Max placed sixth in Serious Duo; Madison Ostlund of Powers Lake placed fourth, Abigail Hudelson of Stanley placed seventh and Gracie Rauschenberger of South Prairie-Max placed eighth in Poetry; Fernanda Rivera Raudales of Burke Central placed second and Gracie Rauschenberger of South Prairie-Max placed fifth in Dramatic Interpretation; Brylee Beeter of South Prairie-Max placed second, Gracie Rauschenberger of South Prairie-Max placed third and Faith Gravley of Our Redeemer’s placed seventh in Inform; Madeline Hurly of Rugby placed third and Avery Ellis of Stanley placed sixth in Humorous Interpretation; Joshua Lindbo and Karl Behm of South Prairie-Max placed first, Natalee Becker and Madelyn Hogue of South Prairie-Max placed third in Humorous Duo; Becca Maroney of Bowbells placed fifth in Serious Prose; Aurora Lach of Kenmare placed first, Alan Joslin of South Prairie-Max and Faith Gravely placed seventh in Speech to Persuade; Hope Gravley of Our Redeemer’s place fourth in Impromptu.