JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team continued its regular season accomplishments with a 2nd place finish at the Powell Invitational last weekend. The Jackson team, under the coaching of Londe Gagnon and Peggy Gagnon, competed with 10 students to earn the 2nd place finish behind Worland High School.
With the team slimmed down temporarily to just 10, it was a chance to see some underclassmen step up.
Coach Londe Gagnon stated, “The strength of the team continues to grow. We had many varsity members out this weekend for a Model U.N. trip but we are incredibly pleased to see how our younger members have stepped up on the team. Their dedication to the activity is apparent and they were given an opportunity to shine this weekend. We are extremely pleased with the promise of our entire team.”
It was River Gayton’s turn to shine in Powell. The senior finished first in Informative Speaking with her presentation on color. She also went on to place 5th in Program Oral Interpretation with her selection on youth activism.
Sophomore Nayeli Hernandez Lopez ‘tripled’ at the tournament, continuing her season’s success in Original Oratory with her 3rd place finish. She also finished in 3rd in Lincoln Douglas Debate, and rounded out the weekend with a 6th place finish in Poetry Interpretation.
Freshman Public Forum Debate team Jheili Montiel Huerta and Ary Jimenez Garcia finished in 2nd place overall. They spent the weekend debating whether or not the United States should replace means-tested welfare programs with a universal basic income. Montiel-Huerta also finished in 6th place in Original Oratory.
Freshman Alexis Hernandez placed 4th in Program Oral Interpretation and 3rd in Extemporaneous Speaking. Fellow freshman Bohdan Barnett performed well during the weekend as well, finishing 7th in Congressional Debate and bringing home a 3rd place award in Informative Speaking.
Freshman Julieta Anaya placed an impressive 4th in Humorous Interpretation. Freshman Blanca Sartillo joined her on stage, finishing in 5th place in the same event.
The Jackson team is hosting two Speech Showcases, Wednesday and Thursday, February 19-20. The evenings will feature the Jackson team members, performing in their varied events. The programs start at 6:15 p.m. in the Jackson Hole High School Auditorium. Tickets are $4.
This is a rare opportunity to see the local team perform at home. Don’t miss a chance to support these hard-working talented students. For more information, contact coach Londe Gagnon at lgagnon@tcsd.org or (307) 699-0537.
