Kimball Area High School had two students selected to compete in the fourth biennial Speaking Proudly oratory competition, held November 8 at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Roslyn Stang, a junior from St. Augusta, delivered her self-written and persuasive speech about, “How do we make America a better place to live?”
Aurora Voigt-Kuebelbeck, a sophomore from Avon, shared her speech about, “Are we thinking for ourselves? The hidden influence of democracy in social media.”
The competitors’ eight-minute speeches were based on the 2025 topic, “The Consent of the Governed” in America’s 250th Year.
“Last spring we received a postcard explaining the essay application,” said Kimball social studies teacher, Mr. Joe Stangle. “After conversation with Mrs. Sexton, another social studies teacher in the district, we offered this opportunity to four Kimball students. We felt they had the initiative and ability to put their thoughts on paper to be selected to speak on behalf of themselves and represent Kimball Area High School at a high level.”
Stang and Voigt-Kuebelbeck wrote their speeches and submitted them to the Speaking Proudly panel for approval last spring. In August, shortly before the new school year began, Stang and Voigt-Kuebelbeck were informed that they had been selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak at our Minnesota State Capitol.
Stang and Voigt-Kuebelbeck were just two of 15 girls in the state chosen for this prestigious event. All the competitors delivered their speeches three times, each time in a different location and before a different panel of judges. Both of the Kimball students delivered their first round of speeches in the honorable House Chamber.
“This was an incredible experience,” said Stang. “The highlight of the day was meeting new people, watching talented speakers and seeing how I can improve myself to be a better orator.”
Voigt-Kuebelbeck also had an impactful experience. “It was really cool to be in all of the Capitol rooms and hear all of the spectacular speakers. It was a great learning experience and so fun to be in the Capitol.”
All of the competitors enjoyed a tour of the beautiful Capitol after lunch as well.
“The tour of the Capitol was well-guided and the tour was amazing. Everything was very informative as we learned about the history and symbolism of the facility,” expressed Stang.
After three rounds of speaking, a total of 26 judges selected the top-three finalists to compete in the fourth and final round inside of the breath-taking Rotunda at the Capitol.
The first-place winner of Saturday afternoon’s Speaking Proudly oratory
competition was, Adelaide Dixon, a Liberty Classical Academy student from River Falls. Wisconsin. For her eight-minute speech, “Consent with Purpose,” in the State Capitol Rotunda she received a trophy and $2,500 cash prize.
Elenor Kraft, a Mother Seton High School student from Ham Lake, won the second prize of $2,000 for her speech, “Gerrymandering.”
Third place and a $1,500 prize went to Christine Gao, a Zion Homeschool student from Blaine, whose speech was, “The Nature of the Governed.”
“Roslyn and Aurora exceeded our expectations,” added Stangle. “Producing an atmosphere of learning for ALL students to feel their voices are heard and that ALL students understand that citizenship and employability skills are extremely important to become educated members of their future communities.”
Also competing in the Speaking Proudly competition were:
Anastacia Birkholz of Elko, Birkholz Homeschool
Maria Andrews of Ham Lake, Andrews Homeschool
Allison Carlin of Fosston, Birkholz Homeschool
Kya Fanberg of Hugo, New Life Academy
Rebecca Maas of Saint Paul, Chesterton Academy
Hannah Markell of Dellwood, Liberty Classical Academy
Maitreya Reeder of Minneapolis, Saint Anthony Village High School
Gracia Severin of Brooklyn Park, Champlin Park High School
Roslyn Stang of Saint Augusta, Kimball Area High School
Lisa Vickers of Minneapolis, Vickers Home Academy
Aurora Voigt of Avon, Kimball Area High School
Christina Young of Rochester, Mayo High School
“I will always remember the people we met,” said Stang. “Everyone was so positive and genuine, supportive and we believed in each other, even though we'd only known each other for a couple of hours. It felt like a true team experience even though we were strangers.”
Emily Albrecht-Geiger, director of education and outreach at the Equal
Rights Institute served as master of ceremonies for the final round of competition.
“This was an informative experience and the judges gave constructive feedback that I'll utilize in future speaking engagements,” added Voigt-Kuebelbeck. “If you have the chance to do this competition, you may not win, but the memories you make along the way are priceless.”
Speaking Proudly (speakingproudly.org) is open to girls in grades nine through twelve who reside in or attend school in Minnesota. The competition is a non-partisan, non-profit project of Metro Republican Women.
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