VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com/VCHS Speech Team) On Tuesday, April 13th and Monday April 19th select students from the Valley City High School Hi-Liner speech team participated in the ND Roughrider District Tournament for their chance to qualify for the National Speech and Debate Tournament in June.
The Hi-Liners had a very successful tournament series. Altogether, the Hi-Liners qualified 12 speakers for the National Tournament.
Students can only qualify in one event for the National Tournament and the number of qualifiers depend on the size of the event. Valley City’s 12 students is the most of any North Dakota school. It is also the most VCHS has ever qualified.
The district tournament for speech represents some of the most competitive students in both Class A and Class B. It is open to freshman-senior members of the National Speech and Debate Association. Qualifiers are:
Morgan Jenner (Humorous) – Grade 11
Brinklyn Johnson (Duo)- Grade 11
Tucker Johnson (Duo)- Grade 10
Owen Plagens (Duo)- Grade 12
Luke Plagens (Duo) – Grade 12
Madi Klabo (Dramatic) – Grade 11
Abigail Redfearn (United States Extemp)- Grade 9
Lillian Kiefert (Dramatic)- Grade 11
Vismaya Jacob (Inform)- Grade 11
Olivia Slyter (Program Oral Interpretation)- Grade 12
Ariana Abrahamson (World Schools Debate)- Grade 12
Ayden Grace McPartland (World Schools Debate) – Grade 9