Freeman Academy’s Oral Interpretation team is developing a legacy of excellence with 14 consecutive State Team Excellence Awards, 4 consecutive district championships, and back-to-back record breaking years. In 2017, Freeman Academy qualified competitors in all seven categories for the State Festival, with six of the seven earning superior ratings. In 2018, all four qualifying competitors earned superiors.
The emphasis of the program is to develop confident presentation skills while enjoying positive team encouragement and interaction. All team members in grades 7-12 compete at the varsity level in a minimum of two competitions, with the top scoring competitors representing Freeman Academy at the district level. Competitors not advancing to district, region, or state levels have an additional opportunity to compete at the Mount Marty Runner’s Up Tournament. Additionally, upperclassmen help coach during the spring middle school Oral Interpretation season, both sharing what they have learned and gaining valuable experience they can apply in every aspect of their lives.
748 S. Main St.
Freeman, SD 57029
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Brad (Braden) grew up in Wichita, Kansas, part of a family of educators. He earned a BA in Political Science/History from Wichita State, at which point he worked as a quality assurance manager for aviation-related companies in Wichita. Discerning a call to academics, he then completed a MA in Political Science from the University of Kansas. After reading Anabaptist theology and political thought, Brad shifted his focus to theology, earning a MA and PhD from Marquette University, with a focus on Theology and Society. He went on to teach courses at the college level in theology, ethics, and politics, as well as work in academic administration, non-profit program direction, and private consultancy. He is the author of Chosen Nation: Scripture, Theopolitics, and the Project of National Identity, as well as journal articles on Christian nationalism and biblical interpretation. Brad came to FA in 2017, teaching high school Bible and Social Studies, and serving as Assistant Head of School and then Academic Dean. He began as Head of School in July, 2022. Brad is married to Elizabeth, with whom he shares three children: Benjamin (FA ’21), Madelyn, and Katelyn. He enjoys piano and arranging music, reading fiction and history, watching movies, playing strategy games, and conversation and laughter with friends. The Andersons are active at Salem Mennonite Church, southeast of Freeman.