The Powell High School speech and debate team is headed down to its final few competitions, according to coach Nicole Maier-Reitz. 

This season has been different from past years, because of the COVID-19 protocols put in place. To allow the competitions to go forward, the meets — as well as the judging — have been held virtually.

The PHS team took part in the Rock Springs Invitational Feb. 27, where Aiden Chandler placed sixth in oratory and Elsie Spomer placed third in the humor division. 

On Saturday, the students took part in the Worland Invitational, the last invitational of the season.

That wasn’t the end of the season, though. The team will compete in the virtual state competition this week, March 8-12. The state competiton features students from all over Wyoming, but split into two districts, which allows greater representation at the national meet.

Following state, the PHS team will prepare for the National Qualifier meet March 25-27, the final event for the season. This year the host is Des Moines, but that meet is virtual this year, held in June.

“Given that this year has been exclusively virtual, we have had to make a lot of adjustments,” Maier-Reitz said. “While most events are synchronous, we do have the duet event which has had to be recorded with competitors in different rooms. Recording interactions between the competitors while they are in different locations has been a challenge.”

Remaining willing to find middle ground has been key.

“While competing online isn’t ideal for speech and debate, we have made it work for this season,” Maier-Reitz added. “The students have been flexible and are grateful for the opportunity to compete. That being said, we do look forward to being able to compete in person again!”