JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole High School Speech & Debate team kept up its hot streak, winning another 1st place sweepstakes trophy over the weekend.
Seven schools attended the Evanston Invitational January 24-25. The Jackson team, under the coaching of Londe Gagnon and Peggy Gagnon, earned 90 sweepstakes points with Riverton following behind in second with 56 points. JHHS had 18 individual top placings.
Senior and team captain Warren Levy led the way with his double championships in Lincoln Douglas Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking. Extemporaneous Speaking proved to be a powerhouse event for the Jackson team as junior Preston Harmon placed 2nd, senior and team captain, Darcy Mueller placed 4th and senior Maleah Tuttle placed 5th.
Mueller joined partner, sophomore Lily Briggs to bring home 3rd place in Public Forum Debate. Harmon partnered with junior Josh Hansen for a 2nd place finish the same event. The debate teams spent the weekend exploring both sides of whether or not the U.S. should end economic sanctions against Venezuela.
Briggs went on to place 2nd in Congressional Debate. Joining her were sophomore Will Aepli who finished in 4th and Hansen who finished in 8th. Impromptu Speaking also proved to be a strong event for the Jackson squad. Tuttle brought home 1st place with freshman Nicole Checker following in 4th and Hansen in 6th. Aepli reached the semi-final round of the event.
Tuttle continued her season success in Program Oral Interpretation with a 2nd place showing. Senior River Gayton and Harmon reached semi-finals in the event as well.
Tuttle, who quadrupled at the meet, placed in all of her events. Rounding out her top placements was her 3rd-place medal in Lincoln Douglas Debate. She spent the weekend arguing whether or not states ought to eliminate their nuclear arsenals.
Gayton found great success in Informative Speaking with her 2nd place trophy. Checker finished in 4th in Poetry Interpretation. Sophomore Nayeli Hernandez Lopez placed 4th in Original Oratory.
The team travels to Natrona County Casper this weekend to compete in the largest tournament of the regular season.
Home tournament volunteers needed
The team is planning its own invitational tournament on Friday and Saturday, February 14-15, 2020. For the home tournament, the Speech Team is in need of 70 more 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.
If you would be able to volunteer anytime from 1 p.m.–9 p.m. Friday, or from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, please email coach Londe Gagnon at lgagnon@tcsd.org or call her at 307-699-0537.
