CARTHAGE, Mo. — The annual Flanigan Speech Contest took place on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Carthage High School. Highlighting the best and brightest participants in the categories of Oratory/Declamation, Extemporaneous Speaking and Sight Reading, winners are awarded significant cash prizes of up to $1000.
Matt Flanigan, grandson of the competition founder, John H. Flanigan , and his wife, Tracy, want to provide significant motivation to draw entries for what they believe is a valuable life skill. Their involvement extends beyond just a monetary contribution, as they also try to judge the contestants each year.
Mr. Bryan Whyte, Speech and Debate Coach for Carthage High School, again organized the event and the Flanigans and Mrs. Lee Ann Keeling served as judges for the three categories. Mr. Whyte has led the speech and debate team for over 18 years in Carthage, and makes it a priority to encourage the involvement of his students, whether or not they are involved in the Speech and Debate Team. “The Flanigan Speech Competition encourages students to use public speaking and critical thinking skills to demonstrate their knowledge and advocate for issues that are important to them,” Whyte stated. “Plus it’s a great way to win some amazing awards and practice an important life skill.”
When the competition began in 1973, John Flanigan only lived to observe its inaugural year before his passing. As a prominent attorney and exceptional orator, Mr. Flanigan saw the need to help develop a critical life skill among young people at Carthage High School, and started a trust with $10,000, intending to use the interest and dividends as prize money. As the economy waned and bank interest rates followed, Matt and Tracy Flanigan decided to contribute to the trust and increase the award payouts. This year’s awards were a significant increase from the initial $500 in prize money awarded in 1973. Extemporaneous Speaking: 1st place – $1000, 2nd place – $750, 3rd place – $500; Oratory/Declamation: 1st place – $750, 2nd place – $500, 3rd place – $250; Sight Reading: 1st place – $750, 2nd place – $500, 3rd place – $250.
As a former Missouri State Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking, Matt and Tracy Flanigan’s son, Bren, further propelled their interest in the contest and kept it thriving. Following the death of Matt’s father George, an attorney and judge in Missouri, the family contributed a significant amount to the fund to ensure that it continued on in perpetuity. The Carthage R-9 School Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Flanigan Speech Contest:
Extemporaneous Speaking:
1 – Jonah Barrett
2 – Jeffrey Portillo
3 – Gabe Dyer
Oratory/Declamation:
1 – River McCahon
2 – Lily Smith
3 – Brooke Meeks
Sight Reading:
1 – Sage Gonzalez
2 – Ariana Hurley
3 – John Satterfield
