The Wayland High School debate had a terrific day earlier this month at the West Michigan Legislative Debate League competition, which was held at the Wayland Union Fine Arts Center.

Local students took 10 of the top 13 places, and all debaters finished within the top 20. The top ten students at each competition bring home a trophy.

Among the winners and their places Carissa Yerxa – 20th; Summer Morrison – 13th; Sam Benham – 12th; Anabelle Pogodzinski – 11th; Rylie Steuer – 10th; Sam VerStrate – 8th; Savannah Weber – 7th; Jamie Murray – 5th; Cody James – 4th; and Top Novice Maddy Probst – 3rd. Eli Merren was overall individual champion,

The West Michigan Legislative Debate Day cultivates a culture of academic scholarship grounded in speaking and listening using the legislative debate format. Together, students create pathways for critical thinking, civic life, collaboration and caring while having a lot of fun along the way.

The day included a meet and greet with coaches and debaters and two breakout sessions designed to enhance their knowledge of debate before ending the day with their first West Michigan Legislative Debate League Meet.

More than 35 students, coaches and teachers attended the daylong event from Grand Rapids City High, Lake Michigan Catholic and Ionia.