The Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team placed third in 3A at the State Speech and Debate tournament, held in Cheyenne last week. The finish comes on the heels of the team’s very successful season. Jackson’s state squad included six seniors, five juniors, one sophomore and one freshman who joined 344 other competitors and 32 schools at the three day meet.Jackson placed third in the sweepstakes by earning 47 points, just 2 points behind second place Green River and only 4 points behind state champs Riverton who earned 51 overall points.
Junior Lauren Guh-Siesel and sophomore Oscar Andersen led the top finishes by earning the 3A State Championship in Public Forum Debate.Jheili Montiel Huerta and Alexis Hernandez teamed up in the event as well where they reached quarter finals and came away tying for 5th place overall. Guh-Siesel went on to become the 3A State Champion in Congressional Debate. Senior Ventura Garcia-Perez followed closely behind, finishing in 5th place.
Senior Maya Worcester placed 8th in the event where Jackson has shown great strength throughout the season. Junior Jackson Neishabouri found success in Extemporaneous Speaking, where he earned the title of 3A State Champion. Senior and team captain, Julieta Anaya tied for fourth place in Poetry Interpretation. Anaya and senior Blanca Sartillo joined forces in Duo Interpretation to reach semifinals.
Sartillo went on to reach semi-finals in Program Oral Interpretation with her performance about generational trauma. Junior Melany Hernandez Garcia reached the semi finals in Poetry Interpretation. Freshman Maddie Earl had a strong showing at the tournament, tying for 11th in Humorous Interpretation. Although the Wyoming state season is now concluded, the team looks ahead to the National Tournament which will be held in Phoenix, AZ this June.
