Four members of the Lincoln Junior High Speech Team had a great showing at the Middle School National Speech and DebateTournament held June 18-20 in Overland Park, Kansas.
Maggie Nate took fourth place in Declamation competing in a field of 72 students. In her second event ,Poetry, she advanced to the quarter finals. She placed 14th in the event that started with 87 competitors.
Both Aiden Burkins and Trent McKenzie competed against 115 students entered in Congress. Burkins advanced to the semi-finals and placed 16th in the nation.
Burkins, McKenzie and Griffin Nate competed in Impromptu as a second event that had 59 entries.
Burkins and Nate are now freshman at Plymouth High School and are members of the Plymouth High School Speech and Debate team. McKenzie is now in the eighth grade and Nate is in the seventh grade at LJH.
Competing in the tournament were 730 students from 100 schools spanning 31 states, the territory of Northern Mariana Islands, Canada, and Taiwan. Those students constituted more than 1200 entries across 14 speech and debate events.
Sarah McKenzie, LJH head coach said, “All four students not only represented Lincoln Junior High, but they represented the Plymouth School Corporation and the entire community.” McKenzie has been involved in competitive speech for 25 years as a competitor, assistant coach and head coach. She said, “One of the best parts about being a junior high coach is that I get to see the students grow in so many ways from their first competiton to their last.” She added, “The benefits gained by the students are immeasurable. Knowing that I was able to prepare them better for high school and beyond is what coaching speech is all about.”
PHS Head Coach of the Speech and Debate Team, David McKenzie, shared Sarah McKenzie’s appreciation of having a junior high team. David McKenzie said, “The Lincoln program has given students a head start when it comes to competing at the high school level. Many times that advantage makes a difference as they continue throughout their high school careers.”
Helping to prepare LJH competitors for the national tournament were Assistant Coaches Meagan Atkinson and Kristi Nate along with PHS graduates and former Speech and Debate team members Michaila Nate and Bryt Hiatt.
The IHSFA (Indiana High School Forensic Association) officially named Sarah McKenzie to their Board during the this year’s annual state meeting on September 6. McKenzie had served as a middle school advisor to the Board for several years. The appointment to the Board will allow her to attend Board meetings and provide needed input to help in blending programs between the middle school and high school levels.
Carol Anders Correspondent
