Several members of the Plymouth High School Speech and Debate team will be headed to the state tournament at Fishers High School this weekend. To qualify, competitors had to place in the top six in their respective events at the IHSFA (Indiana High School Forensic Association) Section 2 Sectionals tournament on March 7. PHS teams have been the sectional champions for the last 34 consecutive years.
This state tournament will mark the 35th time that PHS competitors have traveled to the state contest and they have never been outside of the top ten every year. This will be the 15th year that Head Coach, David McKenzie, has taken a team to the state contest during his time at PHS. Actually, he has only missed three years of being at the state level since 1980. During one of those years he was not coaching and the other two are when he took over non-existent or struggling programs at Wabash and Northfield.
According McKenzie, the team will leave Plymouth on Thursday afternoon to prepare for the tournament to be held on Saturday. Their time on Friday will be spent practicing. As with the tradition, they will meet for a team dinner that will be held at Stone Creek in Noblesville. One of the traditions that has been carried on for many years is “senior speaks”. During the meeting, those competitors who are seniors will speak to their experiences and hope to encourage everyone to be ready for a long day of difficult competition.
McKenzie, said, “As always, we look forward to representing the Plymouth community. Our kids are excited for the opportunity.”
“Generally speaking, this is one of our youngest teams in terms of experience, so it’s going to be exacting for everyone.” he said. “This team ahs slowly improved from being above average to easily one of the top ten teams in the state. Now, it’s time to go out and show everyone what they can do.” McKenzie said.
McKenzie gives a great deal of the credit to fellow coaches-Charlotte Tyree, Regina Warren, Jane Faulstich, and Daphne Stapleton, as well as new coaches Nancy Tyree and Zach Wendt.
Those advancing to the state level are listed below with their placings:
Declamation:
1. Meghan Egierski
4 Sara Smith
5 Olivia Wendel
6 Maggie Nate
Discussion:
1 Garrick Nate
2 Melanie Cooper
Dramatic Interpretation:
1 Christie Gorka
2 Elizabeth Polstra
3 Jillian Smith
6 Chase Holzwart
Duo Interpretation (memorized):
3 Christie Gorka and Kalee Lowry
4 Maggie Nate and Sarah Egierski
5 ellie Switzer and Malana Arroyo
6 Mia Arroyo and Peem Gastel
Duo Interpretation (scripted):
1 Chase Holzwart and Jillian Smith
4 Emily McKenzie and Meghan Egierski
Humorous Interpretation:
1 Clayton Lenig
Impromptu Speaking:
2 Kylee Rippy
4 Garrett Garver
International Extemporaneous Speaking:
1 Kylee Rippy
Original Oratory:
3 Kalee Lowry
4 Emory Smith
5 Gloria Garcia
Original Performance:
4 Giovanni Garcia
5 Alexis Aistrop and Sophia Keller
6 Alejandra Diaz and Diana Baca
Poetry Reading:
2 Elizabeth Szalay
4 Yailin Rodriguez
6 Elizabeth Polstra
Prose Rading:
1. Yaililn Rodriguez
2 Clayton Lenig
3 Emily McKenzie
4 Sara Smith
United States Exemporaneous Speaking:
1 Garrett Garver
4 Emory Smith
