The Wayland High School debate team placed all nine members among the top 35 Saturday at the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association State Debate Tournament at Wayne State University, Detroit.
The tournament included more than 190 students from across the state competing in various styles of debate. Wayland qualified nine students to attend the tournament; with this year all competing in Legislative Debate.
The students took part in two preliminary debate sessions and broke to the final super session Saturday at Wayne State. The tournament held two divisions Novice (first year competitors) and Varsity (two and/or plus years of experience).
Varsity debaters Andrea Ivers finished 34th, team captain Makaila Huffman 33rd and Samantha Rahm 20th. Samantha also was elected Presiding Officer of the varsity final chamber and was honored with a gavel for her dedication to the sport.
Novices Samantha VerStrate finished 33rd, Max Winkler 29th, Brandon Thornburg 14th, Jamie Murray 12th, Madalyn Probst 11th and freshman Eli Merren took first in the Novice Legislative category.
Coach Andrea Brown said she is extremely proud of her team and is looking forward to next year’s season.
Way to go, WHS debate team!
Outstanding! Great achievement – keep up the great work. We are all proud of you – thank you for representing yourself, your parents, your teachers and coaches, the school and town so well!