Speech Team’s Johnson Takes Third at States

Paige Johnson ’26 of Thayer Academy’s Speech Team earned third-place honors in the Poetry Reading category of the Massachusetts Speech & Debate League’s state championships held April 11 at Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury. 

Upper School English Faculty Misharra Hefler, the team’s head coach, congratulated Johnson and pointed out that this is the speech team’s highest finish at the state level. 

“Getting to work with Paige on the speech team for the past few years has been a highlight of my 20-year-long teaching and coaching career,” said Hefler. “Her dedication to the team and to improving her public speaking skills has made her a role model for other team members. I’m so proud of all that she’s accomplished this year.” 

Hefler added that Johnson’s teammates share in her success and congratulate her as well. 

“She’ll be sorely missed next year,” Hefler said.