STUDENTS from Mountain View Christian Academy take part in speech arts at the Pacific Northwest Music Festival for the first time this year.
All grades at the school are doing choral speaking.
“We’ve been doing it as a school on our own and have adjudicators come in but we decided we were needing to get [students] into a broader audience and [have them] get up the courage to stand before more people and not just be adjudicated safely,” said teacher Tamara Ewald, who organized the class entries.
The students have been practising lots to get past any nervousness and even memorized their parts during spring break, she said.
“They’re doing great. I’m really impressed with them. There’s lots of courage and vitality there,” said Ewald, adding she hopes the students’ festival experience will help them get over any fears they have about public speaking or criticism.
“Not that they necessarily have a fear of criticism but I think we all have a fear of what people might say and I know the adjudicators usually are so positive and encouraging and give great feedback for doing better.” Mountain View Christian Academy students perform at the festival April 13.