Special to the LPJ
LAFAYETTE, La. — Ruston High School’s speech and debate team competed at the 50th Annual Louisiana High School Speech League state tournament of champions and had multiple outstanding finishes over the weekend at David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy.
Ruston High completed against 30 other schools from around the state.
The results are as follows:
Quarterfinalist in Varsity Impromptu Speaking- Oli Deal
Quarterfinalists in Novice Impromptu Speaking- Josie Bishop and Abigail Ligon
Semifinalists in Declamation- Abigail Ligon, Caed Baines, Kate Kyzar, Josie Bishop and Ruqaya Ali
Semifinalist in Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking- Harper Anderson
Semifinalists in Varsity Duo- Kate Kyzar and Harper Anderson
6th Place in Varsity Duo and members of the All State Speech Team- Caed and Elena Baines
4th Place in Original Oratory, 6th Place in Varsity Impromptu Speaking, and a member of the All State Speech Team- Melissa Le
Ruston High also received the following recognitions:
4th in Sweepstakes (overall points earned at this tournament)
2nd for the Novalyne Ellis Price Award (overall accumulated points at the State Tournament throughout the years)
“As a coach, I could not ask for a better end to the season,” RHS speech coach Sydney Phillips said. “We had three students make it on the All State Speech Team. We had three-fourths of our competitors pull to some type of final round. And the acknowledgment of Sweeps and the Novalyne Ellis Price Award being in our sights for next season was a great bonus. I’m also honored to have received the Morris Block Trophy, which is our first big piece of hardware to bring home since I’ve been coach.
“To say that I’m proud of this team is an understatement. They truly make all the time and effort we put in worth it. I look forward to growing the team next season and hopefully having even more competitors on the All State Team.”
Ruston High received the Morris Block Trophy from the NSDA District tournament two weeks ago, which is awarded to the school with the most overall completed in the tournament through years. The 344 rounds accumulated were enough to give Ruston first place.
Phillips also added that tryouts will be coming up for next season in May
“If anyone is interested in joining our team for the 2025-26 season, tryouts are May 8th at 4 p.m. in room 224 at Ruston High School,” Phillips said. “Tryouts are open to any current or incoming RHS student with a 3.0 GPA and no referrals from the previous year.”
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