JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole High School (JHHS) Speech and Debate Team won its first tournament of the year, clinching the Bobcat Invitational at Hot Springs County High School on Jan. 3 and 4, with 10 schools in attendance.
The Jackson team, under the coaching of Londe Gagnon, Peggy Gagnon and Jacob Toler, earned an overall 99 points for the team sweepstakes ahead of second place finishers Thunder Basin’s 50 points, according to the Speech and Debate Team press release.
Coach Gagnon said that senior and team captain, Oscar Andersen, had a successful weekend, placing first in Extemporaneous Speaking.
“He spent the weekend arguing both sides of whether or not the United States ought to become party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and/or the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” per the press release.
Additionally, junior Maddie Earl finished first in Informative Speaking. She teamed up with her partner, JHHS junior Martin Contreras, in Duet Interpretation, where they walked away as champions in the event.
Freshman Silvia Kim Miller led the way for the Jackson squad in Original Oratory. She placed first in the event while junior Ash Stam placed third, sophomore Maleah McCune placed ninth and senior and assistant team captain, Ashly Hernandez, placed tenth, according to coach Gagnon.
The team travels next to Worland, Wyo. on Jan. 10.
