The Highland High School Speech and Debate Team recently attended the National Qualifying Tournament at Madison High School. Competing against students from around the region, Highland won first place in the team speech sweepstakes division.

Fifty four students were selected to represent the team at the most prestigious tournament of the year. After a grueling weekend, only a few students were selected in each category to represent our region at the district tournament.

Eleven Highland students qualified for the National Tournament this year in Kansas City, Missouri. Senior Katie Damron and Sophomore Abigail Wood will be attending in Congress. Hans Liu and Chase Leavitt closed out the two qualifying positions in humorous interpretation. Christian Schmitz won first place in Dramatic Interpretation. Mikkel Sutorius and Rannyn Stephens will be representing the district in Duo Interpretation. Senior Erin Miller qualified for the third year in a row in Original Oratory with Sophomore Ben Kowallis named as the first alternate. Junior Josh Mansfield has qualified for the third year in a row in international extemporaneous speaking. James Mullen, a sophomore on the team, was second alternate. In Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking Gabe Grow is tied for third qualifier. The debate team of Senior Tripti Rathi and Junior Jack Bradley will be attending in Public Forum debate. First alternate and coaches choice award went to Kathryn Welker and Nate Mortimer who had a rough tournament, but demonstrated that true character is revealed in how we handle unforeseeable setbacks.

“I am so proud of all the students who attended and represented our school and our community. They were diligent, kind, and emulated the characteristics of integrity, hard work, and graciousness. I am a very fortuitous person to work with such amazing students,” coach Angela Stephens remarked after their big win. Senior Katie Damron also commented, “I compete not to win, but to share a message of change and hope. If I win while I am speaking about what I believe in, then that’s just added bonus.”

The Highland Team has been ranked in the top five in the nation for the 2013-2014 competitive season. They have achieved this recognition for the growth of membership and participation which continues to grow at staggering rates. Even through all the success, it has been a difficult year since assistant coach Barbara Roberts passed away last December. The team wanted to compete really well at the National Qualifier to demonstrate their commitment to excellence, but also to honor Mrs. Roberts. Senior Tripti Rathi explains what the season has meant to her, “Debate isn’t about awards or trophies, which only represent fleeting happiness, but rather about the connections I’ve made throughout this wonderful experience! The team spirit that permeates almost all aspects of our debate team is what has been the most valuable part of my high school career.”