PHS sophomore Aiden Chandler qualified for nationals in oratory.

At a time when most competitions and events have been canceled, the Panther speech and debate team finds itself in a unique position: Practicing for state.

The Wyoming Speech and Debate Association is hosting its state tournament via an electronic platform after last month’s in-person competition was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were five hours down the road on our way to state when it was canceled,” said Nicole Maier Reitz, head coach of the PHS team. “I think most students thought that that afternoon was the end of their season.”

Instead, the rescheduled competition will be held online April 22-25. Students are practicing via Zoom and making necessary changes to accommodate the new platform, Maier Reitz said Tuesday.

“Although some of the events will be challenging (like duet interpretation), the students are excited to be able to have a competition and are eager to compete,” she said.

Meanwhile, three PHS students were selected for the national tournament, which, instead of being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will be held online in June (see related story).

Maier Reitz said she “never ever thought” the team would be competing online.

“I know that it will not be the same as live performances, but I think the state and NSDA [National Speech and Debate Association] have done a fantastic job coming up with a solution that still allows for competition since the students have been working since October on their pieces,” the coach said.

As they now practice via Zoom, some students are sending their recorded pieces to Maier Reitz and assistant coach Lenita Moore to critique. 

“Since this is a new platform, and given we have very little time to practice with this new way of presenting, we are working hard at trying to get the best recordings possible,” Maier Reitz said.

Students already had their pieces memorized, but they may have to make some modifications to keep their movements within the screen when recording, she said.

For the online competition, all students will be recording their pieces from home via Zoom, so no one can edit their recording.

“There will be a window when students can begin their recordings. They can keep trying until they get the one that they like and submit it for review,” Maier Reitz said. “Duets will have to record using Zoom and each person will perform their part while ‘performing’ together via Zoom.”

As part of the state recognitions, Chris Jeide of Powell was honored as Volunteer Coach of the Year.

“A well deserved honor for all of the work she has dedicated to our team,” Maier Reitz said.

The coach said she and Moore are “very proud of the entire team” for their hard work this season.

“I am very excited that the students, especially our seniors, have this opportunity to finish out their season with the state and national competitions,” Maier Reitz said.

Three PHS students advance to national speech tournament

Three Panthers will make school history as they compete in the first-ever online National Speech & Debate Tournament this summer.

Elsie Spomer and Jaxton Braten were selected for nationals in duet interpretation, while Aiden Chandler was named to nationals in oratory.

“I was very shocked,” Braten said. “I had said my goodbyes to our duo scene. I thought that we were done because of COVID-19.”

Braten also hadn’t really thought about making it to nationals, as this is his first year.

“There were so many good duos, and people that have been doing it for a long time,” he said.

Spomer said she is “very proud” of Braten and how far the duo has come as partners this season.

“We worked so hard this season and I’m so excited and proud that we made it,” she said.

When Spomer first read their piece — titled “Gruesome Playground Injuries” — she knew they should choose it.

“Since it’s about the lives of two teenagers who deal with the hard things in life, I felt like we could really bring it to life,” Spomer said. “... I’m excited that we get to bring our message to the national level.”

Spomer and Braten are juniors at Powell High School, and Chandler is a sophomore.

Chandler said he was surprised when he first heard he qualified for nationals.

“There were a lot of other competitors that were older and more experienced than me,” Chandler said. “I wish we could actually go to Albuquerque for the competition itself, but it is still a high honor to be a national qualifier.”

Chandler’s piece is a prepared speech titled “Societal Gullibility.”

Spomer said she is proud of Chandler, “as he worked very hard to perfect his oratory.”

“I’m proud of our whole team and our hard work this season and many more to come,” she said.

Spomer was also named first alternate in humor with her piece “Snow White & the Gucci Stiletto.”

To select students for nationals, speech and debate leaders considered results from nine tournaments during the varsity season, since the national qualifier tournament was canceled.