NHS speech competitor enjoys bringing out emotions

High school junior Faith Harlow will represent Newton at the 2017 All-State Speech Festival in Cedar Falls next week.

Harlow, who is in her second year of speech competition, will perform a monologue by D.M. Larson called “Strong Enough for the Both of Us.” It’s a piece she has been working on and performing since January.

“It’s a very emotional piece,” Harlow said. “It’s about a girl trying to tell someone she has depression, and they’re not really understanding. Getting all those emotions in there was very difficult.”

As a sophomore last year, she did a lighter piece that she wrote entitled “Cosmetics Anonymous.” It was about a makeup support group, and it was funny, she said.

“Being versatile is very important,” Harlow said. “I think that’s why I wanted to choose a more serious piece this year, because I did do a funnier piece last year that did pretty well. I kind of wanted to broaden my horizons a little bit.”

Harlow earned the invite to all-state by performing well at the district and state level. The judges liked what they saw and recommended her for all-state honors in the prose category. Prose, Harlow said, is kind of like poetry and acting combined.

To get ready for “Strong Enough for the both of us,” Harlow had to get into the character’s head and connect with the piece.

“It’s a very intense piece because it goes from kind of a normal conversation to really intensely angry, and then it kind of goes down to sarcasm,” she said.

Harlow said the Larson monologue presents an important message about depression. It’s often a difficult topic to talk about, and people don’t always accept it with open arms. It’s relatable for many people.

When Newton High School yearbook and public speaking teacher Niki Hively first encouraged Harlow to get involved with speech, the student was hesitant and shy as a freshman. Now, she welcomes the challenges that come along with speech.

“I’ve learned that I really enjoy bringing emotions out of people,” Harlow said. “I really enjoy getting somebody’s reaction from what I do.”

All-state speech is not a competition. It’s more like a recognition or celebration of the best high school speakers in Iowa. Unlike the rules of districts and state, there is no time limit.

Harlow experienced all-state to some degree last year. She was there to show support for a fellow student who received the honor, so she has some idea of what to expect.

“I am expecting a room full of people that is not just my family,” she said. “Usually it is mostly my family, but now it’s going to be quite a few more people.”

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121
ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com