Four Worland students qualify for national competition

WORLAND – March 14, 15 and 16, students from all over the state gathered in Green River and Rock Springs for the National Qualifiers Competition for speech and debate.

Qualifying for the National Competition is Nathaniel Nelson and Jade Hefenieder in duo interpretation, along with Zoe Fernandez and Madeline Martinson in World Schools Debate.

Thirty Worland High School students attended this competition, competing in 13 different events: foreign exemption, domestic exemption, Lincoln-Douglas debate, cross-examination debate, public forum debate, congressional debate, program interpretation, informative, oratory, humorous interpretation, duo interpretation, dramatic interpretation and big question debate.

According to speech and debate coach, Rick Dorn, numerous students from Worland advanced. Kim Sumida earned third in big question debate; Kim with Rachael Carver was fourth alternate in cross examination debate; Caylin Deniz was sixth alternate in Lincoln-Douglas debate; Nick Bower and Dash Lloyd were third alternate in Duo interpretation; Raeth Tolman was fourth alternate in humorous interpretation and Nathaniel Nelson received third alternate in humorous interpretation.

The national competition is the week of June 16-21 according to speechanddebate.org. It will take place in Dallas, Texas. According to Dorn, the team has worked on raising money through various methods, including concession stands, sales and their home tournament. The team will also be looking into holding a showcase dinner in April in order to continue raising money.