FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com)- The Valley City High School student congress team traveled to the first student congress tournament of the season last Monday, September 24th at the East Congress Tournament which was held at the Ramada Inn and Suites in Fargo. Student Congress is a form of legislative debate that is a NDHSAA Sponsored Activity.

Students are split into different chambers depending on their age and skill level. We had 24 students attend the tournament (which is one of the largest teams ever for this activity). More than half of the students were first time participants in Student Congress. We had a very successful day for many of the students being so new to the activity.

Three students ran for Presiding Officer in their chambers. The Presiding Officer is a student who helps run the chamber for the day. While they were not elected they did gain valuable experience by campaigning and running for office.

Lillian Kiefert, a sophomore, placed 4th in House II out of over 40 competitors. Jazmine Schmidt, a 9th grader at VCHS, had her resolution about gun control chosen in committee to be debated at the next student congress tournament in House V.

The next tournament is the West Student Congress which will be held at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Mandan, ND on October 8th. Valley City High School will have 26 students traveling to this tournament.