State Speech Champ Wins National Award

Ryan Knowles, the state’s high school speech champion, has won a top award in a national forensic competition.

The 18-year-old, who graduated this year from La Habra High School, captured second-place honors in the National Forensic League’s speech contest in the humorous interpretation category.

The league is an honor society for the nation’s top high school speakers. Only the best speech students are invited to become members, officials said.

Knowles, a member of the league since his freshman year, presented a 10-minute skit for his humorous interpretation. He played three characters: a wisecracking supermarket cashier, a customer who makes a fool of himself and the customer’s wife.

“He masterfully handled the audience,” said Keston Blake, Knowles’ former speech teacher and coach. “He was great.

“I think he walks on water. He is delightful, hard-working, dedicated to his craft and very, very talented and funny.”

Knowles said he just enjoys making people laugh. He received a trophy for being one of only 11 high school students who competed in the prestigious national event for four consecutive years. Doing so is rare, officials said.

To qualify for the competition, students have to win several local contests. In Knowles’ case, he won more than 140 such contests and holds the state champion title.

He said he wants to become an actor, preferably in comedies, and will study drama at UCLA in the fall.