The Plymouth High School Speech and Debate Team had a commendable showing at the weeklong (June 13-19) national tournament held in Dallas, TX. To qualify for the tournament, competitors had to finish in the top two in their events at the district level.
The National Speech and Debate Association hosted some 7000 qualifying students from all over the United States along with several from those competing in World Debate from other countries.
Competitors at the tournament competed in three preliminary rounds with each event starting with approximately 250 students. The top scorers advanced (breakers) to various elimination rounds until the final six in each event were still in the competition. The final six in each event then performed before thousands of audience members and were scored by a large panel of judges.
Once a student is eliminated in their main event, he/she can compete in a supplemental or second event of their choosing.
Additionally, three students from Lincoln Junior High participated at the Middle School Level
Following are the PHS qualifiers for the tournament along with their placing.
Main Event (breakers)
Clayton Lenig – Humor (Top 60)
Kylee Rippy – International Extemp (Top 60)
Garrick Nate – Senate (Semi-Finalist)
Emily McKenzie – House (Elected presiding officer)
Supplemental Events (breakers)
Kylee Rippy – Extemp Commentary (Top 50)
Christie Gorka – Prose (Top 60)
Kalee Lowry – Expository (Advanced to round three prior to elimination)
Emily McKenzie – Prose (Advanced to round three prior to elimination)
Garrett Garver – Extemp Debate (Advanced to round three prior to elimination)
Qualifiers on the trip and their Main Events
Kylee Rippy – International Extemp
Garrett Garver – USA Extemp
Garrick Nate – Senate
Emily McKenzie – House of Representatives
Clayton Lenig – Humor
Kalee Lowry and Christie Gorka – Duo
Lincoln Junior High Participants
Trent McKenzie – Congress
Samantha Zechiel- Impromptu
Griffin Nate – Poetry and Declamation
Carol Anders Correspondent
