JACKSON HOLE, WYO – It was a second-place finish in Evanston for the Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate team last weekend.
The Jackson team, under the coaching of Londe Gagnon and Peggy Gagnon, traveled with just 11 of their 22 members but were still able to pull off 2nd in the sweepstakes. Eight schools attended the meet January 25-26 with Riverton placing first in the 3A category.
Sophomore Preston Harmon placed 3rd in Lincoln Douglas Debate. He spent the weekend arguing both sides of whether or not the United States should provide military aid to authoritarian regimes. Harmon went undefeated in the preliminary rounds of competition before being knocked out in the semifinal round.
Congress proved to be the event of the weekend for the Jackson team. All five participants in Congressional Debate from the Jackson team placed in the top ten. Freshman Anna Revill placed 4th, freshman Virginia Girling placed 5th, freshman Will Aepli took 7th, sophomore Josh Hansen placed 8th while sophomore Trey Dykeman took 9th.
The event is set up like a mock congress where the Jackson competitors submitted legislation such as a resolution to censure Saudi Arabia, a bill to abolish the minimum wage and a bill to develop public composting areas.
The team travels to Natrona County Casper this weekend to compete in the largest tournament of the regular season with 30 schools in attendance.
The team is planning its own invitational tournament on Friday and Saturday, Feb 8-9. For the home tournament, the Speech Team is in need of 180 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.
Events include Lincoln Douglas, Public Forum, Big Questions, 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.
Volunteer anytime from 5:30pm Friday evening until 9:00pm Friday evening. Or from 7:30am Saturday until 3:00pm Saturday. Please email coach Londe Gagnon or call her at 307-699-0537.
