Ten students qualify for nationals

For the 12th year in a row, the speech and debate team has taken first place at districts.

The Green River High School Speech and Debate team didn’t have to travel far to claim first-place this time, since the Wind River District National Qualifying Tournament took place in Rock Springs Thursday and in Green River on Friday and Saturday. Rock Springs came in second and Natrona County took third.

“We also won the debate sweepstakes award and the travel trophy for most degrees accumulated over time,” head coach Carina White said. “Every year, the trophy travels to a different school with the most degree points with their program over time and then that school’s points reset to zero.”

Along with the first-place finish, 10 students qualified for Nationals.

“It was very exciting and emotional to see all the students who qualified to nationals and a bit heart breaking for those who got close, but didn’t make it,” White said. “Our team did an excellent job, we had more qualifiers than any other team and we are excited to travel to Dallas in June to attend Nationals.”

White said the younger students who competed, but didn’t qualify for Nationals, will carry their experiences and skills they gained from this season to next year.

“I think we had a lot of growth this season and next year we are going to be very strong and very competitive,” White said.

A few students stood out to White at districts, including Rachel Heisinger, Rebecca Shamer and Matthew Pickering, who all double qualified in two events. Heisinger was also nominated for the District Student of the Year award. Shamer and Heisinger are attending Nationals for the third time in a row, while Pickering is attending for the second time. 

White was also impressed with sophomores Jessica Petri and Levi Hren, who both qualified for Nationals.

White said Steve Core was nominated for and won the Wind River District Communicator of the Year award for his support of the team.

“Steve has helped with fundraising efforts with us over the years and has been a vocal advocate for our program,” she said. “We appreciate his support and the support we receive from this district.” 

National qualifiers

Public forum: Ramsey Taliaferro and Matthew Pickering

Congress house one: Rachel Heisinger

Lincoln Douglas debate: Rachel Heisinger

Senate: Rebecca Shamer and Matthew Pickering

Cross examination debate: Rebecca Shamer and Levi Hren

Foreign extemporaneous: Hannah Thomas

Humor: Raymond Garcia

House one: Will Allen

World schools: Levi Peterson

Big questions debate: Jessica Petri