By Kyle Roberts
Ruston High School’s debate team closed out its season at the 2024 Louisiana High School Speech League head at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, La., this past weekend and garnered multiple awards with two members earning All-State honors.
“This was an amazing end to our season,” Ruston High debate coach Sydney Phillips said. “We had more competitors make it to final rounds at state than ever before under my tenure as coach. What is even more exciting about that is all the competitors that attended state for us were freshmen members due to our other members having prior obligations with other school activities. This is such a wonderful group of students who have consistently shown up and showed out all year. I have high hopes for our program in upcoming seasons.”
The overall results are as follows:
Novice Impromptu Speaking Quarterfinalist- Harper Anderson
Novice Extemporaneous Speaking Semifinalist- Ben Wages
Novice Impromptu Speaking Semifinalist- Oli Deal
Humorous Interpretation Finalist and member of the All-State Team- Harper Anderson
Declamation Finalist and member of the All-State Team- Kate Kyzar
In addition, Ruston’s cumulative points at the state tournament earned the team second place overall.
Students who would like to tryout for Ruston High’s debate team will be on Friday, April 26, at 4 p.m. in room 224 at the school.
