Speech novice team just as good

This past weekend the Green River High School Speech and Debate novice team had a chance to show just what it could do.

The team traveled to Cheyenne to compete in a novices only competition and came out on top of the other nine teams at the tournament. The novice team is comprised of 29 members, while 51 are on the varsity team. A total of 80 GRHS students are on this year’s team, 19 freshmen, 24 sophomores, 12 juniors and 22 seniors, marking them a force to be reckoned with.

Coach Dan Parson said the students in the competition debated a wide range of topics at this tourney, which is giving them more experience.

“Students learned what real competition is like. They learned more about their events and what it takes to be prepared,” Parson said. 

The success of the team is from its members dedication to practice and preparation.

“This team works very hard on a daily basis and this tournament proved it,” he said.

“But more importantly than competitive success, it has been a joy to watch these remarkable students begin to bond and work together as a team,” Parson said.

“Over and over we have watched these kids selflessly prep one another before rounds, share research, attend one another’s performances, celebrate each other’s successes, and comfort one another when they lose.”

“They are becoming a second family and, frankly, it is heartwarming to be a part of it,” he said. “We strive to have a program where each student feels valuable regardless of their innate abilities. It is rewarding to watch this goal being reached.”

Both the novice and varsity teams will continue to work hard for this weekend’s tournament, which will take place at Juan Diego High School in Salt Lake City.

Since the tourney is in Utah, it give the students a chance to see other teams in action.

“Most of the teams there will be squads we have not competed against before. It is always great to see new styles of forensic competition,” he said.

Results

Oratory: Victoria Allen, first place, Sarah Kropf, third place, Abigaile Grubb, sixth place

Cross examination: Gregory and Patrick Marchal, first place, Victoria Allen and Atlin Johnson, second place

Duet: Krista Boynton and Sarah Kropf, fourth place, Karlee Cutler and Lynzi Johnson third place, Shelbi Jenkins and Seyarra Puckett, fifth place

Poetry: Elaine Comer, second place, Christian Smith, third place, Seyarra Puckett, fifth place, Spencer Worthen, sixth place

Drama: Elaine Comer, second place

Lincoln Debate: Dallin Hoyt, first place, Abigaile Grubb and Chase Kontz and Katelynn Moorman, third place

Humor: Dallin Hoyt, first place, Jesse Lauze, third place, Shelbi Jenkins, sixth place

Congress: Atlin Johnson, first place, Kolbi Schanzenbach, second place, Patrick Marchal, fourth place

Extemporaneous speaking: Gregory Marchal, fourth place Mike Montoya, fifth place