Stoneleigh-Burnham wins first place at Public Speaking Tournament

GREENFIELD — Stoneleigh-Burnham School won first place during the annual Public Speaking Tournament that was hosted
on its campus on Sunday, April 6.

Nine schools participated in the tournament, bringing together 32 students. The schools included Stoneleigh-Burnham, The Hotchkiss School, Deerfield Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, Groton School, Andover, The Roxbury Latin School, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School and Northfield Mount Hermon School.

The tournament consisted of three rounds: After-Dinner or Persuasive Speaking, Interpretive Reading and Impromptu Speaking. The five-member Stoneleigh-Burnham team was awarded first place overall.

The event was organized by Parke Burgess, a member of Stoneleigh-Burnham’s Humanities Department and its debate and public speaking coach.

“We showed once again that we have extraordinary students: thoughtful, dedicated and resilient,” Burgess said in a statement. “They speak boldly and with great integrity. I could not be more proud of them.”

Create a collage with Victoria Speth

GREENFIELD — Victoria Speth, who loves to share her passion for sustainable and imaginative crafting with the community, will lead a collage session in the Greenfield Public Library Makerspace on Thursday, April 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Speth primarily works with upcycled materials, and believes the practice of upcycling is a way to be more mindful and sustainable in the creative process.

Drop-ins are welcome, but advance registration is recommended by visiting greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/14342190. The program is intended for teens and adults ages 13 and up.

Soil testing coming to library

GREENFIELD — Representatives of the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association will be at the Greenfield Public Library to offer information about registering for the master gardener training program, as well as to offer pH soil testing, on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Visitors are welcome to bring a sample of soil to learn what their garden needs to flourish. For information on collecting soil samples, see the “How to Test Your Soil” tab at wmmga.org. There is a suggested donation of $2.

The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association is a member-managed nonprofit dedicated to the educational mission of promoting good and sustainable gardening practices. Each master gardener completes an in-depth training program, including hands-on activities in gardening and public education, and has made a commitment to participate in association-sponsored public programs each year.