By Sophia Boris

The high school Speech and Debate team began their year on a good note.

There are weekly tournaments held at different schools, including the high school, Kimpton and Lakeview. This past weekend students participated in a tournament at the high school.

Perry High School placed first overall for the tournament. Stow ended up placing 3rd overall.

Coach of the Speech and Debate team Sue Theisen said, “Overall the results were very [good].” 

“Stow did really well, I am proud of my entire team,” sophomore Sarah Laubaugh said.

Teams are not just judged as a team but also by individual and team performances. There are multiple categories in which one can choose to compete. For example, one category one can choose from is argumentative. Every category has a winner.

The team had a very successful weekend in these individual and team performances. Seniors Matt McCombs and Cam Stebbins placed 3rd in duo, and juniors Savannah Novak and Elizabeth Angeletti placed 5th in duo. Along with these performances, seniors Madison Light and Samantha Wilcox placed 2nd in duo. Lastly, junior Chloe Holm topped it off by placing 1st in poetry.

With the Speech and Debate team having a triumphant weekend, Theisen looks to have further success this year.

Theisen said, “Each week the teams getting better.”

These weekly tournaments are preparing the team for districts and states later this season.

There was a huge turnout for this event. There were 663 people at this event and 179 adult judges.

Theisen said, “We could not have done all of this without the help of our parent boosters who fed everyone, the wonderful administration who lets us use the schools for these events and special thanks to the TWE who stayed all day and helped with electrical issues.”

         The Speech and Debate team does not only work together in school, but they act as one unit. They are like a family.

         Sophomore Annemarie McCombs said, “Ms. Theisen is the light of my world and the love of my life.”

        The SMFHS speech and debate team strives to continue their season on a good note.