The MRH Speech and Debate team concluded its 10-month season at the National Speech and Debate Association’s National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

The policy debate team of Sam Siemer and Jack Funke finished with a rank of 28th in the nation after 9 rounds of debates against schools from across the country.

 

Recent State Champion Odessa Javier, competing in Original Oratory, also finished in the top 30 in the nation with her speech on funding inequities in public education.

 

In both the debate and speaking events, the MRH students competed against approximately 275 students who had qualified through state NSDA district tournaments. Other Blue Devils competing at the 5-day event were: Maia Truemper in Informative Speaking, Katy Corcoran in Extemporaneous Speaking, and Nate Boyle in Extemporaneous Debate.

 

These six MRH high school students were joined at the 1,500 school event by Head Coach Rich McCollum, volunteer Assistant Coach Dr. Sam Smith, and volunteer Judge Alison Funke.

 

Head Coach McCollum noted: “Finishing in the top tier of national competition is a remarkable accomplishment for these students. They were in rooms with the largest public schools and private preparatory academies in the nation and represented the excellence of MRH. The team's success reflects the commitment of our District and MRH High School to developing a Speech and Debate Team that lets these students shine on a national level.”