2016 Speech Meet Winners
November 4, 2016 by Ben Palpant
Joshua Foer, in his book Moonwalking with Einstein, makes the startling observation that “who we are and what we do is fundamentally a function of what we remember.” His comment echoes the words of Scripture, suggesting that our moral activity proceeds from what we have hidden in our hearts and minds. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Similarly, Christ says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
The ability to memorize (and those objects memorized) will prepare students for Poetry Out Loud (9th-12th grade) and Thesis presentations (11th and 12th grade) while equipping them to serve and lead others as fathers, mothers, friends, leaders, and laborers until the day God calls them home.
The Oaks emphasizes memorization across all the grade levels because we believe that the mind and heart are worth furnishing with objects that are beautiful, good, and true. We believe that education is character formation and what our students memorize has a shaping influence on the caliber of their character and the trajectory of their lives.
To that end, Grammar students competed this past week in our school speech meet. For this event, each student was required to commit to memory a worthy piece, fitting to their frame, and present that piece as an oration to their classmates, parents, and guests. The winners are invited to the inter-school speech meet with Logos on November 1st.
What a joy to see students filling their hearts and minds with good things and sharing those good things with others! Undoubtedly, each student is worthy of honor for memorizing a worthy piece; however, we extend particular congratulations to the following winners:

First Grade (above):
Bible Memory:
Abram Wiens: Psalm 115:2-8
Christine Brodersen: Psalm 46:1-7
Poetry:
Juliet Bemis: The Spider and the Fly
Sophia Johnson: Father, We Thank You

Bible Memory:
Colin Patrick Alvis: Luke 15:11-24
Sydney Bagley: Ephesians 6:10-18
Fable/Folklore:
Phillip Tishenko: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Samantha Albrecht: The Stag and His Reflection
Poetry:
Alexia Michel: Roots and Wings
Cade Palmer: Every Time I Climb a Tree

Third Grade (above):
Bible Memory:
Daniel Stebbins: Exodus 14:15-22
Joshua Wallach: Mathew 4:1-11
Fable/Folklore:
Aimee Cook: Mouse and Lion
Jack James: The Ant and the Grasshopper
Poetry:
Elena Thompson: I am Boom!
Enver Adjiasmanov: Dare To Dream

Fourth Grade (above):
Bible Memory:
Beatrice Wiens: John 11:33-44
Tessa James: Esther 4:10–5:2
Fable/Folklore:
Liam Lundberg: The Knight in Shining Armor
Kailyn Wilder: The Ant and the Chrysalis
Poetry:
Sarah Love: The Things That Haven’t Been Done Before
Westin Madden: Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore

Fifth Grade (above):
Bible Memory:
Ethan King: John 1:1-13
Caleb VanHorn: Psalm 147:1-11
Literature/Historical Oration:
Anna Moore: from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Matthew Tallman: from “I Have a Dream"
Poetry:
Jason Fox: If
Abigail Popa: If

Sixth Grade (above):
Bible Memory:
Alec Lundy: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Kaden Harken: II Samuel 12:1-14
Literature/Historical Oration:
Isabella Ferch: from Jane Eyre
Jeslyn Cai: from Anne of Green Gables
Poetry:
Anya Adjiasmanov: The Dash Poem
Natalie Edwards: The Law of the Jungle