11 GRHS students attend nationals

After competing at nationals, several Green River Speech and Debate students gained experience they can bring back to their team.

Green River High School students attending nationals were seniors Hannah Thomas, competing in domestic extemporaneous speaking, Raymond Garcia, competing in humor, Rachel Heisinger, competing in Lincoln Douglas debate, Rebecca Shamer and Levi Hren, competing in cross examination debate and Matthew Pickering and Ramsay Taliaferro, competing in public forum debate, juniors Will Allen, competing in Congress and Mikki Scott, competing in world school debate, sophomores Levi Peterson, competing in Lincoln Douglas debate and Jessica Petri, competing in big questions debate.

“Many of the upperclassman had attended before, so they were able to explain what to expect and help students prepare,” GRHS head coach Carina White said.

This year, 1,351 schools attended the National Speech and Debate Association’s national competition, which took place in Dallas. This competition had more than 6,357 entries, with a lot of categories having more than 400 competitors. All 50 states and three other countries attended to compete in the world school debate category.

During competition, students are guaranteed six preliminary rounds. If they place in the top three in individual event or if they win eight debate ballots, they advance to the elimination rounds, White said.

“Nationals motivates students to work to qualify and the experience itself gives students a chance to raise their skills and challenge themselves,” she said. “Every student that has attended walks away with a value depth of knowledge and a deeper understanding of speech and debate.”

Once a competitor reaches the elimination round, they are guaranteed two more rounds. After that, it’s based on round-by-round performance until they lose twice in the elimination rounds.

“If they are eliminated in their main event, they can compete in supplementary events that they reregister for,” White said.

Some of these other events include extemporaneous debate, impromptu and storytelling.

White said several students from Green River stood out at nationals. Petri took 13th in the nation in big questions debate.

Mikkie Scott made it to the first elimination round world school debate with her teammates from Rock Springs High School. White said Scott had to work and collaborate with four other students she normally competes against for a common goal.

“I know this was such a positive experience for her,” White said.

Pickering made it several rounds in extemporaneous debate ending up in the top 40. “Our other debaters all did well, winning several ballots, but not breaking to elimination rounds,” she said.

Garcia had several ballots in humor and Thomas came very close to advancing in extemporaneous speaking.

“This was a talented group of students and they worked really hard to have this experience and I am so glad that they were able to attend,” White said. “This tournament is such a great experience, they get to compete against people from all over the country.”