JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The Jackson Hole High School earned a third place sweepstakes trophy in Speech and Debate this past weekend at the Evanston Invitational January 19-20. The Jackson team, under the coaching of Londe Gagnon and Peggy Gagnon, traveled with only 12 of their 21 members for the second week in a row. Eight schools attended the meet where JHHS managed six individual top placings.
Sophomore Jake Todd place 1st in Original Oratory with his presentation on the American outlook on death. Though Todd entered the semi-finals round in 13th place, barely making the cut, he dominated the semi-final round where he placed 1st. That win propelled him to the final round where all three judges placed him 1st as well. Freshman Josh Hansen made it to semi finals of the event.
Todd partnered with senior and team captain, Aaron Trauner in PF Debate where they also placed 1st. In the event, they spent the weekend exploring both sides of whether or not Spain should grant Catalonia its independence.
Trauner went on to place 3rd in Extemporaneous Speaking, an event where the competitor has 30 minutes to craft a speech on a current event. Sophomore Maleah Tuttle placed 4th in the event while senior and team captain, Ellie Dunn placed took home a 5th place medal.
Dunn and junior Alisha Vinson, reached semi finals in Humorous Interpretation, while freshman Hyla Chatham made it to the semi finals of Poetry Interpretation. Sophomore River Gayton did well in Informative Speaking with her 7th place finish.
The team travels to Natrona County Casper in two weeks to compete in the largest tournament of the regular season. Before then, however, the team is planning its own invitational tournament on Friday and Saturday, January 26-27.
For the home tournament, the Speech Team is in need of 70 volunteers to judge for approximately an hour and a half each. Judging guidelines will be provided and several practice judging sessions will be offered. Judging experience is not required.
Events include Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum, Extemporaneous and Cross Examination Debate, Student Congress, Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Humor, Drama, Poetry, Program Oral Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Impromptu, and Duet. Judging these talented high school competitors is an entertaining and rewarding experience. Refreshments and free babysitting will be provided.
If you would be able to volunteer anytime from 7pm Friday evening until 9:30 Friday evening, or from 8am Saturday until 3pm Saturday, please email coach Londe Gagnon at lgagnon@tcsd.org or call her at 307-699-0537.
