Speak of the Devil: EHS speech team wraps successful season

Sheila McGuire, Herald Reporter
Posted 3/26/20

EHS speech and debate season recap

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Speak of the Devil: EHS speech team wraps successful season

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EVANSTON — The Evanston High School Speak of the Devil Speech and Debate team had a disappointing finish to the season when both the state and district tournaments were canceled due to coronavirus concerns. The district tournament cancellation is particularly disappointing, as that is the tournament that qualifies competitors for the national tournament.

Competitors from throughout the state would have participated in the state competition, while only the western half of the state, or the Wind River District, would have competed in the district competition. The district competition for the eastern side of the state, the Hole in the Wall District, was held in February. Although the Wyoming State Competition and the Wind River District Competition were canceled, it is still possible those events may be held in an online format, although that has not yet been definitively determined.

Disappointment over the cancellations aside, the EHS speech and debate team had a successful season, competing in eight statewide meets from November through March. Evanston also hosted a successful home meet in late January. Students participate in debate events, including public forum, Lincoln-Douglas, Congress and more; speech events, such as drama, humor, poetry, oratory or impromptu; or both.

Several EHS competitors placed in multiple events at meets throughout the season. Senior Kaleb Horrocks finished fifth in extemporaneous speaking at the Jackson Hole meet, while he and partner Alyssa Liechty finished second in public forum (PF) debate in Star Valley and he and junior partner Allyson Sawyer finished second in PF debate in Jackson Hole. Liechty, also a senior, finished ninth in Congress in Star Valley, fifth in Congress at Worland and sixth in Congress at the Rock Springs meet.

Senior exchange student Maike Schiessler finished sixth in poetry at Cheyenne East and seventh at Star Valley.

Several sophomores had impressive seasons. Aidan Jacketta finished third in novice Lincoln-Douglas debate in Rock Springs, seventh in Congress in Star Valley and fourth in Congress at Jackson Hole. Randie Odden had a third-place finish in program oral interpretation in Rock Springs. Allison Andrus finished in sixth place in original oratory in Star Valley and Ellie McFadden finished seventh in drama at Jackson Hole.

Aidan McGuire and Robertson Walker, both sophomores, had strong showings in multiple events this season. McGuire’s original oratory claimed fifth place in Green River, fourth at Natrona County, second in Rock Springs, and first in Star Valley and Jackson Hole; while he finished seventh in Congress at Rock Springs and second in both Star Valley and Jackson Hole.

Walker’s novice drama presentation earned him a fourth place finish at Rock Springs, fifth at Cheyenne East and first at Green River; competing at the varsity level that same drama presentation garnered a sixth place finish in Worland, second in Jackson Hole and first at Star Valley. Walker also finished fifth in both Congress and original oratory at Star Valley and fifth in oratory at Jackson Hole.

Freshman Kiya Cox finished sixth in novice oratory at Rock Springs and Ruby Bumgardner finished sixth in novice oratory at Green River and Jackson Hole.

With their strong finishes McGuire and Walker qualified for NIETOC (National Individual Events Tournament of Champions) with their showings in original oratory and drama, respectively. NIETOC is a national tournament for individual speech events held annually. In order to qualify, students must finish in the top six in at least three separate meets throughout the season, and the ranks of those finishes must have a cumulative total of less than 10. For example, finishing first, second, and fourth would earn a cumulative total of seven. Unfortunately, this year’s event, originally scheduled for May 7-9 in Houston, has also been canceled due to coronavirus. However, McGuire and Robertson have automatically been qualified for the 2021 NIETOC event due to this year’s cancellation.

Seniors Horrocks and Liechty were also both nominated by the Wyoming coaching community for the 2020 Wyoming High School Forensics Association Ambassador Award, which recognizes students for their exemplary contributions to speech and debate. The two were nominated along with 16 other students statewide.

Other team members include freshman Amanda Webb, sophomore Madi Curtis and juniors Tea Cox, Cole Francis and Mia Isaacson. The EHS speech and debate team is coached by high school French teacher Brian Hill, science teacher Clarissa Cole and volunteer assistant coach AJ Lamb.

Reflecting on the season, head coach Hill said, “This season, our team came together and discovered how hard work leads to a high level of success, both in competition and in life in general. I am enormously proud of our team, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for them.”