Once a Saint, always a Saint. Xavier alumnus Jacob Hansen has returned to Xavier as the newest addition to the speech team, alongside current coaches Scott Davidson and Laura Travagiakis.

Hansen graduated from Xavier in 2015. 

“Jacob was a member of the speech team.  He went to All-State more times than any other student in Xavier history,” Davidson said.  “I enjoyed coaching Jacob, so I was thrilled when he agreed to come back and help us coach the team.”

 Hansen participated in large group and individual speech during his time at Xavier. 

“I wanted to become a speech coach because Xavier Speech was one of my favorite activities to be part of at Xavier and I believe that being involved with the school’s speech team and practicing your public speaking skills will take you far in your adult and professional life,” Hansen said. 

Hansen also became a judge for the Iowa High School Speech Association after graduating from Xavier. 

“One of the other coaches, Scott Davidson, was the one who approached me about becoming a speech coach. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Hansen said.

Speech has 11 large group categories and 14 categories for individual speech.

“Our motto on the speech team is that speech has something for everyone. We have so many different categories that there is something every student can enjoy,” Davidson said. 

There are scripted and unscripted scenes, memorized scenes and scenes where students get to hold their script. There are live performances, recorded scenes and musical theatre for those who love to sing. The Xavier Speech Department even has mime acts for those who do not want to speak. 

Students can watch the Xavier Speech Team in action on January 21 in the Speech Showcase at Xavier.