WHA Speech

06/10/2026

🌭 Buy Some Lunch - SUPPORT THE SPEECH TEAM!

🔥We will have a set of volunteers posted right outside of The Meat Boutique downtown Walker, MN!
• Saturday, June 13th
• 10:30-5pm

🫶We are so happy to give back to the community while raising funds for future speaking opportunities like the National Speech & Debate Association and NIETOC! We make each other better when we come together!!

06/08/2026

👏We are proud to perform and partner with our local Rotary club each year while sharing the talents of our speakers! 💙

Rotarians Treated to Interpretive Prose Performance by Walker Talker Captain Elijah Cox

Walker Talker Captain Elijah Cox performed his award-winning interpretive prose piece Counting the Days while My Mind Slips Away at the Rotary luncheon on Tuesday May 26. The piece tells the story of a young father and football player facing the debilitating effects and long-term implications of concussions. Cox was introduced by Coach Katelin DeLorenzo.

Walker Talkers has 3 times the number of speakers this year and advanced 7 of 19 to State, where they placed second. In addition, the team qualified for Nationals for the second year in a row. Walker Talkers will be helping with set-up this year at Walker Bay Live to raise money to support speakers attending national events next year.

WHA Senior Elijah Cox and Walker Talker Coach Katelin DeLorenzo

06/03/2026

🙌The Walker Talkers are GIVING BACK!!!

👉We will have a group of our speakers and parents stationed at Super One in Walker, MN THIS SATURDAY! Have some of the kindest human beings bag your groceries for you, with the consideration of donating to our program! While this is new for us, we are so excited to give back to the community that supports our journey each and every year.

☺️If you are able, consider scheduling your grocery run during these hours and donating towards our team. These guys will make sure you leave with a SMILE 😁

05/29/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to Fairmont Coach, Kathleen Walker, for her much-earned accolade as National Speech & Debate Association’s Coach Of The Year!!! We are beaming with Minnesota PRIDE! It is a privilege to see and appreciate your work here in Minnesota 🫶

05/27/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to the girls golf team!!! HUGE shout out to state Walker Talker, Elaina Dascalos!!! She is bound for GREATNESS!!!!

The Lady Wolves took 1st place in sections! They are STATE bound!! If able come welcome them home at Tianna tonight at approximately 7pm!

05/18/2026

🎙MAKE A DIFFERENCE with a 🌟DONATION🌟
>>>Link: https://gofund.me/7bef4c262

🥰The core memories made on a trip like this are priceless...well, not really. (WE WISH!) However, the experience itself makes all the difference in the world in a student's growth and overall confidence in this activity. If you can, make a donation of your choice to give these speakers a moment they'll cherish forever.

🙌THANK YOU to those of you who have already donated. We are beyond grateful for this community and the connections made this season. We are so excited to get our Walker Talkers ON THE MAP!

05/13/2026

🙌CONGRATULATIONS to Walker Talker, Elijah Cox! He will continue his educational journey and football career at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul!! We are so proud!!!!

05/10/2026

🎙️Our first trip to NIETOC did not disappoint. While we didn’t advance anyone to octos - top 60 - we left feeling both humbled and inspired. There are so many incredibly talented young people in this activity. It would be no surprise if we were in the presence of the next Broadway star or government official. Each of our speakers walked away with tons of inspiration for their next chapter in their speech journey. What more could you ask for!?
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🙌SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to all Minnesota entries! We had such an incredible showing that just made us even MORE proud of our home state.
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😳IYKYK | The endurance displayed over the course of the weekend was incredible. Committing yourself to two, 10-12 hour days of speaking or judging is a skill in itself. These competitors are exemplary in this skill. 🫶
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05/08/2026

🎙 The Walker Talkers are GOING TO NATIONALS...thanks to YOU!

🥰 We want to thank those of you who have generously donated to our trip so far. Whether you bought a sweatshirt, donated through our GoFundMe page, or chose to sponsor our trip as a whole, your selflessness does not go unnoticed; special shout-out to Walker American Legion Post #134 and their contribution towards our overall lodging cost! Our team continues to grow because of opportunities like this. Now, let's keep the momentum going!

✈ It's no secret that flights aren't cheap. Last year, because the National Speech & Debate Association tournament was held in Des Moines, IA, and gas prices weren't nearly as high, we were able to drive down without making a huge dent in our budget. This year, the tournament will be hosted in Richmond, VA. We are beyond excited to explore an area different from our own. However, that means we have to include flights in our budget - approximately $800 a ticket. While our plans to attend have not changed, a donation from you can help cover this cost for all attendees, regardless of individual financial constraints.

👉 If you are interested in contributing, click on the link below!
LINK: https://gofund.me/7bef4c262