Speech and Debate triumphs at Nationals

Displaying both eloquence and argumentation, the Green River High School Speech and Debate team recently took to the national stage, bringing home significant accolades from the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. Under the guidance of first-year Head Coach Jericho Morrell, the team navigated an intense season of preparation and competition to reach this prestigious event.

Coach Morrell, a local business owner and former team member, stepped into his coaching role with enthusiasm and a deep appreciation for the transformative power of speech and debate.

"I believe there's no extracurricular activity that does more for young adults than Speech and Debate," Morrell shared. "When Dan Parson retired and asked me to apply, I jumped at the opportunity."

The journey to Nationals was marked by rigorous preparation and a few logistical hurdles.

"The biggest obstacle was fundraising," Morrell explained. "We held raffles, a poker night, bake sales, and received tremendous support from local businesses."

This community effort ensured that the team could focus on honing their skills rather than worrying about financial constraints. Preparing for Nationals required adapting to new topics and heightened competition.

"We had two Public Forum (PF) debate teams and one Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debater. The topics changed for Nationals, so we worked with online coaches to refine their cases," Morrell said.

The team also engaged in mock debates and individual coaching sessions to perfect their performances. For those that qualified for Nationals, it was a significant achievement.

"We had 11 students qualify at the district level, and we brought one additional senior," Morrell noted. "Depending on the event, students had to place first through third to qualify. It's a rigorous process."

The national competition itself was a demanding week-long event spread across multiple venues.

"It's very intense," Morrell recounted. "Unlike state competitions, which last three days, Nationals is a week of back-to-back rounds. It's stressful, but the kids learn a lot from seeing how things are done around the country and the world."

Despite the pressure, the team had several standout moments.

"One of our debaters, Jasper, was just one place shy of breaking into the out rounds. Our PF debate team of Mackenzie Bagshaw and Saraya May also narrowly missed advancing," Morrell shared. "The fact that we had so many students qualify and perform well is a testament to their hard work and dedication."

The team's participation spanned a diverse range of events, including PF and LD debate, International Extemporaneous Speaking, Program Oral Interpretation (POI), Original Oratory, Original Spoken Word Poetry, and Senate. This wide array of events highlights the team's versatility and depth of talent.

Looking ahead, Coach Morrell has ambitious plans for the next season.

"Our primary goal is to win state," he said. "I also want to see the team grow closer together. This will be my second year, and I'm excited to see how the team develops with a solid foundation under my coaching."

Morrell also emphasized the importance of experienced team members passing down their knowledge.

"We have a great group of seniors who are eager to mentor the younger members," he explained. "Their experience and leadership will be crucial in building the team's future success."

For students considering joining the speech and debate team, Morrell offered valuable advice.

"Like anything in life, it's a lot of hard work that's well worth it," he said. "The skills you learn in speech and debate-communication, critical thinking, and teamwork-are essential in life. If you put in the effort, the benefits are immense."

The Green River High School Speech and Debate team's impressive showing at Nationals reflects their dedication, the support of their community, and the leadership of Coach Morrell. As they set their sights on future goals, they hope to continue to embody the spirit of excellence and resilience that defines the program.