On Jan. 18, the debate team competed at Federal Way High School against the state’s top competitors, ending with several placings and junior Jackson Powell finishing as a finalist in the Congress event.

Other standout students were juniors Wallace O’Donnell (11th in Extemporaneous), Ashley Techavimol (ninth in Oratory), Kiana Wilson (sixth in Interpretive Reading) and sophomore Abby Davidson (ninth in Humorous Interpretation).

“Wenatchee debaters held their own,” Coach Dave Carlson said. “They should be very proud of what they did.”

On Jan. 11-12 debate members went to a tournament in Pasco and brought home second place. They earned 21 individual and team event trophies, and eight of the trophy winners were competing for the first time in their events. O’Donnell won the Open Extemporaneous Speech, Open Impromptu Speech, and Novice Public Forum with freshman Vivian Noyd. Noyd also won Novice Extemporaneous Speech, Novice Editorial Commentary, and placed third in Novice Impromptu. Powell won the Novice Lincoln Douglas and placed second in Novice Oratory. Junior Devyn Blakney won Novice Interpretive Reading, Novice Presiding Officer, and placed third in the Novice Congress.

Junior Will Taulango placed second in Open Tall Tales, Davidson placed second in Open Editorial Commentary and Techavimol placed third in Open Oratory.

On Jan. 3-4, nine debate members went to Gonzaga University to compete against 32 other teams and placed seventh.