The Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team has kicked off the new year with a victory, securing first place at the Bobcat Invitational held at Hot Springs County High School on January 3rd and 4th, 2025. Competing against ten schools, the Jackson team amassed 99 points in the team sweepstakes, significantly ahead of Thunder Basin High School, which scored 50 points.
Under the guidance of coaches Londe Gagnon, Peggy Gagnon, and Jacob Toler, the team showcased a strong performance across various categories. Senior Oscar Andersen led the charge, clinching first in Extemporaneous Speaking and securing second in Lincoln Douglas Debate. His debates focused on whether the U.S. should join international legal treaties like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Junior Maddie Earl also had a standout tournament, winning first in Informative Speaking and placing fourth in Humorous Interpretation. She partnered with junior Martin Contreras for Duet Interpretation, where they emerged as champions. Contreras further contributed to the team’s success by placing third in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Freshman Silvia Kim Miller excelled in Original Oratory, taking first place, with juniors Ash Stam and sophomore Maleah McCune placing third and ninth respectively, and senior Ashly Hernandez rounding out the event with a tenth-place finish. Kim Miller and sophomore Lillyke Martinek teamed up for Duet Interpretation, finishing fourth, and Kim Miller also took second in Humorous Interpretation.
In Congressional Debate, junior Tylee Scott led the Jackson team with a sixth-place finish, followed by Martinek in ninth and McCune in twelfth. Scott continued her success by placing sixth in Impromptu Speaking, where Stam took second, and fourth in Program Oral Interpretation.
The team is set to compete next at Worland on January 10th and 11th.
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