Speech team members see success at state

Posted 3/18/21

The Powell High School Speech and Debate team competed at the state tournament last week, with a couple members bringing home individual titles.

“The state competition is always the …

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Speech team members see success at state

The Powell High School Speech and Debate team takes a break from the state tournament last week for a team photo. Front row (from left): Kaelin Crichton, Crystal Emmett, Elsie Spomer, Taryn Feller, Audrey Long, Kaitlyn O’Rourke and Isabella Gomez. Middle row: coach Chris Jeide, Ashley Dunkerley, Anna Atkinson, Allie Gilliatt, Emma Johnson, Decoveny Brochi, McKenna Alley and Kinsley Braten. Back row: coach Nicole Maier Reitz, Addison Braten, Jaxton Braten, George Higgins, Liz Peterson and Nolan Ritz.

Tribune photo by Carla Wensky

At left, Elsie Spomer and Jaxton Braten go over their duet in a practice room at the LDS church Friday before the semi-final round of the state speech and debate tournament. The duo placed first in Class 3A and placed second overall.

Tribune photo by Carla Wensky

Posted Thursday, March 18, 2021 8:15 am

The Powell High School Speech and Debate team competed at the state tournament last week, with a couple members bringing home individual titles.

“The state competition is always the most difficult of the season,” said coach Nicole Maier Reitz. “We are proud of all of the competitors on the team. Whether a student placed in their event or not, the successes of the team depend on a group effort.”

Elsie Spomer and Jaxton Braten placed second overall in duet and took first in Class 3A. Public forum debaters Aiden Chandler and Dacovney Brochu also took first place in 3A, while Isabella Gomez took third in 3A Congress.

“The students have supported one another for the past six months of competition and have shown what true team spirit is all about,” Maier Reitz continued. “The team has grown and stretched outside of their comfort levels competing in a season that went from in-person competition to being 100% online.”

The qualifiers for national competition will be held this week.