Speech and Debate

AHS Speech & Debate Team Competes in Austin Tourney

Pictured, from left, are True Head, Michael Pulver, Matthew Hernandez, Megan Withers, John Baldwin and Dusty Rhodes.

Press release

On Dec. 5 and 6, members of the Athens High School Speech and Debate Team competed at the University of Texas TFA Tournament, one of the largest tournaments the team has attended this year. There were a total of 1,400 competitors representing more than 20 states.

All of the students competed very well at this tournament. Matthew Hernandez and True Head finished the tournament with three wins and three losses in the Championship Policy Debate division. It was not enough to advance, but it was enough to move Head up to a level of Distinction in the National Speech and Debate Association Honor Society.

John Baldwin advanced to double octafinals in JV Lincoln Douglas debate with a record of three wins and only one loss. That put Baldwin in the top 32 in his event. Dusty Rhodes, Megan Withers and Michael Pulver competed in the tournament as well. The team is coached by Nicole Cornish.

Cross Roads Students Earn Berths in Debate Championships

Cross Roads ISD press release

The Cross Roads High School Speech and Debate team continued it’s winning streak in the Van Fall Speech and Debate Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 11. The event featured 22 schools and about 200 students across Northeast Texas.

Luke Carnes and LaTrae Chaney finished 3rd and Alex Dickson and Katie Harris finished 7th in CX Debate. Luke Carnes finished in 4th in Persuasive Speaking. Katie Harris and LaTrae Chaney finished 5th and 6th, respectfully, in Original Oratory. Rachael Cooper and Kaden Mattingly finished 2nd and 6th in Congressional Debate. As a result of their finish in the tournament, Luke Carnes, Rachael Cooper and Kaden Mattingly have earned berths to compete at the Northeast Texas Debate Association (NTDA) Championships (a scholarship tournament) in Lindale in February 2015.

Coach Chris Dickson said, “I’m excited our students are experiencing many firsts on behalf of our school district. These are the first students to earn berths to this prestigious tournament in school history. There are countless scholarship opportunities available to students who compete in speech and debate, and I’m glad these students will get a chance to experience one of them at the NTDA Championships.” Continue reading “Cross Roads Students Earn Berths in Debate Championships”

CRHS Speech and Debate Takes Second at Lindale

Cross Roads ISD press release

The Cross Roads High School Speech and Debate team is making history in it’s inaugural season. The team competed at the Lindale Texas Forensics Association Speech and Debate Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 27. The team was crowned second place overall in the Novice Debate Division as they competed against over 500 students representing 33 schools from N – 20 of those schools included large schools classified as 4A-6A. Cross Roads is a 2A school district.

Juniors Luke Carnes and Katie Harris finished the tournament with a second place finish in Cross-Examination Debate after posting a 5-1 record on the day. Some of the schools they defeated along the way included Longview, Lindale, and Richardson Berkner. Moreover, freshmen Julia Harris and Taylor Long finished the tournament with a 3rd place finish in Public Forum Debate.
Continue reading “CRHS Speech and Debate Takes Second at Lindale”