MANDAN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com/Nick Lee) – On February 11th, members of the Valley City High School Student Congress competed in the NSDA District Qualifiers at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Mandan, ND.

Student Congress is formal legislative debate in which students debate resolutions and bills that were written by students. Students research, write speeches, prepare for possible questions, and learn the fundamentals of responsible rhetoric.

The Hi-Liners took 10 students to the tournament. Six of those ten speakers advanced to finals. Senior, Luke Plagens was elected by his peers to be the presiding officer over the Senate Chamber. Ayden McPartland, a freshman, was elected to preside over one of the house chambers. Abigail Redfearn, freshman, took second in the House Chamber and nationally qualified. She will compete in June at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament.

Individual results are as follows:

Senate: Luke Plagens (4th), Lillian Kiefert (3rd)

House: Ari Abrahamson (12th), Olivia Slyter (9th), Madi Klabo (7th), Abigail Redfearn (2nd, 2021 National Qualifier)

The Hi-Liner Student Congress Coach is coached by Head Coach, Nick Lee, and Assistant Coach, Abby Ingstad.