JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team is picking up momentum this regular season with a 1st place finish at the Bobcat Invitational. Eleven schools participated in the one-day event held on December 15 at the Hot Springs County High School.
The Jackson team, under the coaching of Londe Gagnon and Peggy Gagnon, earned an overall 79 points for the team sweepstakes. Worland took 2nd in the 3A category with Star Valley following close behind in 3rd.
Senior and team captain, Leila Sandlin had a successful weekend, placing 1st in varsity Program Oral Interpretation. She went on to win varsity Poetry Interpretation with her piece exploring the high school experience through Broadway musical lyrics.
Senior and team captain Alisha Vinson, along with sophomore Hyla Chatham, tied for 7th in varsity Poetry Interpretation while Chatham went on to place 5th in varsity Program Oral Interpretation. Freshman Hannah Higgins placed 2nd in the novice category of the event.
Senior and team captain Samantha Smith also had a very rewarding tournament finishing 1st in Congressional Debate. Sophomore Joshua Hansen placed 5th in the same event. The two teamed up in Public Forum Debate to place 3rd as well.
Freshman William Aepli took home 1st place in novice Congressional Debate for the fourth tournament in a row. Freshman Virginia Girling placed 2nd in the event while freshman Anna Revill placed 3rd. Aepli and Girling continued their success by tying for 1st in novice Lincoln Douglas Debate. Revill placed 4th in the same event.
Junior Maleah Tuttle continued her season’s success in varsity LD Debate with a 3rd place finish. Sophomore Preston Harmon followed closely behind, finishing in 4th. Tuttle went on to place 1st in varsity Extemporaneous Speaking. Sophomore Trey Dykeman took home 3rd place and Harmon placed 7th in the event.
Freshman Diana Moser was triumphant in both of her events, placing 2nd in novice Humorous Interpretation and 5th in novice Poetry Interpretation. Senior Catherine Cabrera-Vazquez placed 2nd in novice Poetry Interpretation as well. Freshman Hannah Higgins brought home 5th place in novice Original Oratory while freshman Lilly Eggett placed 4th. Junior River Gayton placed 3rd in the varsity category of the event.
This tournament was the last meet of the season that has a novice division of events. After January 1, all competitors will move into the varsity category for competition.
Coach Peggy Gagnon stated, “Our team continues to grow and develop. We are beyond pleased with our how our novices competed throughout the novice season and cannot wait to see what they bring to the table when competing as varsity in the coming months.”
