Speech and debate earns second place finish at state meet

Mike Moore photo
Brennah Mayland presents her poetry interpretation piece in front of Glenrock community members during “A Night of Speech” at Glenrock Junior/Senior High School March 6 just a day before heading to the State Speech and Debate Tournament.

By: 
Mike Moore mike@glenrockind.com

By the time eight Glenrock Junior/Senior High School students took the stage before a hometown audience last Wednesday evening, it was clearly evident the months of work to perfect their pieces had paid off.
The event, entitled “A Night of Speech,” was set up by speech and debate coaches Lisa and Erin Shadrick as an opportunity for students to run through routines before a live audience before heading to the State Speech and Debate Tournament in Riverton the following morning.
“It was great to see them in presentation mode,” Lisa said. “It was amazing. I thought we were going to do very well.”
Lisa’s early predictions for how the team’s state meet would go were spot on, as the team went on to secure its third consecutive second-place finish in 1A/2A.
While the ultimate goal was to bring home a state championship, Lisa notes that second place is still a strong showing for her program and she couldn’t be more proud of all the hard work they’ve put in since starting back late October.
Kimberly Reid finished seventh in the entire state for her dramatic interpretation and third overall for 1A/2A for the same performance.
Teammate Jossilyn Miller took fifth statewide for her drama performance and first in 1A/2A.
In the poetry division, Miller took fourth out of the entire state and was once again a state champion for 1A/2A for the performance.
According to Lisa, Miller is a one-of-a-kind student that she is thrilled to have on her team.
“Jossilyn oozes talent,” she said. “She’s a perfectionist and you can tell she put a lot of hours into it and it showed big.”
Lisa is thrilled to have the two-time state champion return next year for another special season.
“She has the most incredible work ethic,” Lisa said. “She works until it is fine-tuned. I’m glad the judges saw that.”
In other poetry results, Hannah Dority advanced to the semifinals and secured third place for 1A/2A, while Brennah Mayland advanced to the quarterfinals.
After finishing second at state for 1A/2A three years in a row, Lisa hopes they can secure a state championship next year. After all, the team only loses one graduating senior in Cole James.
“We’re building the program. . . it’s absolutely growing and putting Glenrock on the map,” she said. “I’m just really proud of our small school. The kids are finally getting kudos for that.”
Lisa says a lot of the momentum building with the speech and debate team stems from her daughter Erin, who is an international champion that also serves as an assistant coach for the Casper College team.
“She brings a lot to the table,” Lisa said.
The coach was pleased with the team’s ability to fight through a few stressful moments this season to finish strong.
“I’m proud of their character and work ethic,” Lisa said. “They rose to the challenge when they had some obstacles.”
As for the team’s response to another second place finish, Lisa says students are excited but are hungry for more.
“We always want first place and to bring that state championship home,” she said. “We keep getting second place, but this year the competition was immense. For them to do what they did was phenomenal.
“The future looks very bright and we will be hunting down a first place championship.”

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