A letter from the president: never taking in-person for granted again

Above: The MSCI Board of Directors. Front row: Charlie Rinehart, Ruth Kay, Amy Janz, Heather McKaig. Back row: Tyler Baas-Peterson, John Rutherford, Doug Bevier, Jeff Butts.

Dear MSCI Members,

I hope the summer months have allowed you all to rest and rejuvenate as you prepare for the fall and the remainder of 2023. Before we know it, 2024 will be upon us, so I would like to take a moment to reflect back on this past year.

I am happy to say that the State Novice and Spring festival hosted 27 teams and more than 300 students while the Mackinac Conference saw approximately 30 schools and 230 students. Seeing so many students talk to walls and each other in person is such a welcome sight after a few difficult years. I, for one, never want to take for granted again the ability to gather, socialize and work with my fellow speech coaches face to face.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the membership, for the honor of serving you as president this past year. I have gained much from this community throughout my years of coaching, and it was my pleasure to give back and serve that community in this capacity. Beyond that, I have learned so much and have grown as an individual because of this experience.

I wish you all the best that this fall and school year has to offer. Remember that MSCI is an organization committed to supporting our members and the advancement of speech activities throughout Michigan. The board and I thank you for your continued support and the dedication and time you devote each year to promoting the importance of speech and communication in the next generation.

Amy Janz
MSCI President

Originally published in the MSCI Year in Review, October 2023.