The speech team has a new temporary coach after previous coach Joseph Kalka moved to Moorhead. Kristan Van Houten is the new temporary coach. Her children, sophomore Rylee Van Houten and junior Brendyn Van Houten, are on the team.

Kristan has a background in public speaking, having been part of the speech team in high school. She gained financial expertise as the lead of the booster club for the Stillwater speech team. Originally from California, she organized a community pageant before moving to Minnesota. Leading groups at her church, she effectively works with both adults and kids. Additionally, she heads a marketing team dedicated to digital outreach through speeches, copywriting and strategy.

Her emphasis on vocal advocacy for financial support is reflected in senior Belle Lapos’ statement, “We’ve had a lot of good funding this year, and it’s nice to have someone in the corner being vocal about that.”

Kristan diverse experiences and skills make her a valuable asset to any community or organization.

With the introduction of a new coach, the team has undergone an adjustment period. Brendyn, serving as both captain and the coach’s son, feels an increased sense of responsibility.

Navigating this role as son and captain, he acknowledges the weight of leadership. “I find that I am often doing more work outside of my set time for speech which can be great at times but tiring at others,” Brendyn explained.

The assistance provided by assistant coaches Sarah Lauer and Natalie Syntek has played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition for the team. Among the four captains, each has a specific role Lapos manages social media, junior Mikayla Duffy-Wightman oversees the website, senior Soren Peterson is in charge of recruitment, and Brendyn takes on additional responsibilities as a captain. Lapos affirms that the team is well-prepared for a successful season ahead, highlighting the collective effort and strategic roles that each captain brings to the table.

Being part of the speech team proves to be a valuable benefit in future endeavors for its members, providing them with experiences that can be used in job applications and college.

“I plan on attending colleges with a highly competitive speech program,” Brendyn said.

Brendyn emphasizes the impact of competitive speech programs on college choices. The diversity within speech competitions is evident,

“I have been in tournaments where there are speeches on everything from Spider-Man to the Syrian war,” Peterson said.

This broad range of speech topics allows students to explore diverse subjects. It enhances their ability to communicate effectively on various issues, contributing to a well-rounded skill set for future endeavors.

The former coach, Kalka, has relocated to Moorhead where he now coaches the speech team. Despite the move, he continues contributing as a side coach for the original speech team alongside Kristan. However, most of his time is dedicated to coaching Moorhead’s speech team. This transition shows the ongoing commitment and support that Kalka provides to the speech community.

“It is going to be interesting having him on a team we are competing against,” Lapos added.