Five Haines High School student speakers competed in the first Debate, Drama and Forensics meet of the season last weekend at Juneau’s Thunder Mountain High School.
Juneau-Douglas, Sitka, Wrangell, Mount Edgecumbe and Ketchikan also participated.
Coach Gershon Cohen said his squad was less than half its expected, eventual size, but performed well. Participants included seniors Brennan Whitermore, Royal Henderson and Tia Heywood, and juniors Polly Bryant and Eli White.
Heywood and Bryant combined efforts in duo interpretation to perform “DMV Tyrant,” a skit about frustration at the Department of Motor Vehicles office. They placed fourth.
Whitermore placed third in extemporaneous speaking, an event that requires participants to create a five-minute speech on an issue or current event.
White and Henderson were Haines’ only debate team, qualifying for the semi-finals. They argued both sides of the question, “Should the United States reinstate an assault weapons ban?”
Cohen said he expects his squad will reach 14 speakers. Its next meet is in Sitka.
\ debate team, qualifying for the semi-finals. They argued both sides of the question, “Should the United States reinstate an assault weapons ban?”
Cohen said he expects his squad of 14 students, including two freshmen, to compete well, as it has experience. Its next meet is late October in Sitka.
Students interested in participating should stop by the school library conference room at 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.